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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Prevalence, Infection Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections among School Children in
Nyanda C Justine1, Jeffer Bhuko1, Sarah L Rubagumya2
1Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania.
Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are highly prevalent in Tanzanian school children. Key risk factors include maternal farming occupation and poor hand hygiene, while proper handwashing significantly reduces infection risk.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Public Health
- * Parasitology
Background:
- * Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are neglected tropical diseases affecting over 24% of the global population.
- * Monitoring STH prevalence and intensity is crucial for evaluating mass drug administration effectiveness and informing control strategies.
- * This study focuses on STH in school children in northwestern Tanzania, a region with limited data.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of STH infections in school children (6-14 years) in Tanzania's Kagera region.
- * To identify specific behaviors and demographic factors contributing to STH transmission.
- * To provide evidence for targeted public health interventions and control programs.
Main Methods:
- * A cross-sectional study involving 728 school children in the Kagera region, Tanzania, conducted in 2021.
- * Two-stage cluster sampling for participant selection, with data collected via questionnaires and stool sample analysis using the Kato-Katz technique.
- * Statistical analysis performed using STATA to identify risk factors and assess infection prevalence and intensity.
Main Results:
- * Overall STH prevalence was high at 56.2% (409/728 children).
- * Moderate-intensity infections were observed for *Ascaris lumbricoides* (5.7%) and *Trichuris trichiura* (1.1%).
- * Significant risk factors included maternal occupation as a farmer (aOR: 1.2) and inadequate handwashing with soap and water (aOR: 1.4). Handwashing after toilet use was protective (aOR: 0.6).
Conclusions:
- * STH infections are highly prevalent among school children in the study area, indicating a substantial public health burden.
- * Maternal occupation (farming) and poor hand hygiene practices are significant drivers of STH transmission.
- * Promoting consistent handwashing, particularly after toilet use and playing with soil, is a critical preventive measure against STH.
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