Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia
Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a major health problem among school-age children in developing countries. Prolonged exposure to STH can lead to reduced physical fitness, stunted growth, anemia, bowel obstruction, and cognitive impairments. Objective: To determine the preva...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398424003300 |
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| author | Tibeso Gemechu Wako Dedecha Alqeer Aliyo Abdistion Disani Feven Diriba |
| author_facet | Tibeso Gemechu Wako Dedecha Alqeer Aliyo Abdistion Disani Feven Diriba |
| author_sort | Tibeso Gemechu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a major health problem among school-age children in developing countries. Prolonged exposure to STH can lead to reduced physical fitness, stunted growth, anemia, bowel obstruction, and cognitive impairments. Objective: To determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths among school-aged children in the west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 randomly selected school-aged children in selected districts of the West Guji zone from February to March 2023. A pre-tested questionnaire was used, and samples were examined by wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques. Data entry was analyzed using SPSS. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify potential associated factors. P-value<0.05 was declared as statistical significance. Results: The overall prevalence of STH was 32.7 % (95 % CI: 28.4%–35.8 %). Ascaris lumbricoides 95 (11.1 %) was the most common identified STH. Most school-age children, 74 %, were infected with a mild intensity of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The mean egg count for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworms was 4465.4, 563.7, and 958.9, respectively. The study found significant associations with several factors, including washing hands with soap after using the toilet (AOR: 2.8, 95 % CI: 1.8–4.6), trimming fingernails (AOR: 4.6, 95%CI: 2.9–7.1), and the habit of wearing shoes (AOR: 2, 95%CI: 1.4–2.9) Conclusion: Soil-transmitted helminths infection prevalence is high among school-aged children of the study areas. To prevent and control these infections, comprehensive health education should focus on the importance of hygienic practices, improved sanitation, and regular deworming programs for school-aged children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5c218b8d5d94986b54dd73f3cf401f2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2213-3984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5c218b8d5d94986b54dd73f3cf401f22024-12-28T05:22:05ZengElsevierClinical Epidemiology and Global Health2213-39842024-11-0130101833Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South EthiopiaTibeso Gemechu0Wako Dedecha1Alqeer Aliyo2Abdistion Disani3Feven Diriba4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, P.O. Box 144, Bule Hora, EthiopiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, P.O. Box 144, Bule Hora, EthiopiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, P.O. Box 144, Bule Hora, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, P.O. Box 144, Bule Hora, EthiopiaDepartment of Radiology, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, EthiopiaBackground: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a major health problem among school-age children in developing countries. Prolonged exposure to STH can lead to reduced physical fitness, stunted growth, anemia, bowel obstruction, and cognitive impairments. Objective: To determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths among school-aged children in the west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 randomly selected school-aged children in selected districts of the West Guji zone from February to March 2023. A pre-tested questionnaire was used, and samples were examined by wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques. Data entry was analyzed using SPSS. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify potential associated factors. P-value<0.05 was declared as statistical significance. Results: The overall prevalence of STH was 32.7 % (95 % CI: 28.4%–35.8 %). Ascaris lumbricoides 95 (11.1 %) was the most common identified STH. Most school-age children, 74 %, were infected with a mild intensity of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The mean egg count for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworms was 4465.4, 563.7, and 958.9, respectively. The study found significant associations with several factors, including washing hands with soap after using the toilet (AOR: 2.8, 95 % CI: 1.8–4.6), trimming fingernails (AOR: 4.6, 95%CI: 2.9–7.1), and the habit of wearing shoes (AOR: 2, 95%CI: 1.4–2.9) Conclusion: Soil-transmitted helminths infection prevalence is high among school-aged children of the study areas. To prevent and control these infections, comprehensive health education should focus on the importance of hygienic practices, improved sanitation, and regular deworming programs for school-aged children.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398424003300Soil-transmitted helminthesSchoolchildrenIntensityWest Guji Zone |
| spellingShingle | Tibeso Gemechu Wako Dedecha Alqeer Aliyo Abdistion Disani Feven Diriba Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health Soil-transmitted helminthes Schoolchildren Intensity West Guji Zone |
| title | Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia |
| title_full | Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia |
| title_short | Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia |
| title_sort | soil transmitted helminthes prevalence intensity and associated factors among school aged children in the communities of west guji zone south ethiopia |
| topic | Soil-transmitted helminthes Schoolchildren Intensity West Guji Zone |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398424003300 |
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