Prevalence and risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths in humans and domestic animals in southern Côte d’Ivoire
Summary Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are parasitic diseases caused by worms that infect humans and animals. According to the World Health Organisation, 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected, particularly in tropical and subtropical zones. This study aimed to assess the p...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11099-8 |
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| Summary: | Summary Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are parasitic diseases caused by worms that infect humans and animals. According to the World Health Organisation, 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected, particularly in tropical and subtropical zones. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of STHs for humans and animals in three health districts in southern Côte d’Ivoire. Methods From October 2022 to April 2023, cross-sectional studies were conducted in three health districts: Agboville, Dabou, and Jacqueville. Overall, 941 school-aged children and 285 domestic animals were investigated. Stool samples were provided by school-aged children and analysed for STH infections with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears. In addition, faecal samples were collected from animals’ rectums and examined for the detection of STH eggs using a flotation technique. A questionnaire was administered to the heads of participants’ households, as well as to the owners of the animals to determine demographic characteristics and identify risk factors associated with STH infections, using generalised estimating equations (GEE) analysis. Results Trichuris trichiura/incognita (49.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.9%), and hookworm (1.0%) were the STH species found in school-aged children. Jacqueville (67.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 60.8–73.2%) health district had a higher prevalence of STH compared to the other two health districts, Agboville (49.2%, 95% CI: 43.6–54.8%) and Dabou (46.1% 95% CI: 41.1–51.2%). STH infections were independent of age and sex. Trichuris trichiura/incognita (OR = 0.64; p = 0.009) and A. lumbricoides (OR = 0.68; p = 0.017) infections were negatively correlated with the presence of latrines in households. In animals, Strongyles (41.7%, 95% CI: 35.9–47.7%) and hookworms (21.1%, 95% CI: 16.4–26.2%) were the dominant species. STH infections were most common in pigs, with prevalences of 46.5%, 15.5%, 14.1%, and 7.1%, respectively, for hookworms, Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., and Ascaris spp. Conclusion We demonstrated that STH are highly prevalent in both humans and animals sharing the same environment with the lack of latrines as the main risk factor for transmission. In addition to mass drug administration in humans, a One Health approach integrating WASH, Community-Led Total Sanitation, health education, and improved livestock management is essential to control STH transmission across human and animal populations sustainably. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-2334 |