Abstract
BackgroundSchool age children are one of the groups at high risk for intestinal parasitic infections especially in developing countries like Ethiopia as the supply of good quality drinking water and latrine coverage are poor. Though there are previous data on the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths (STHs) and Schistosoma mansoni infection among these high risk groups current status in the study area is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the current prevalence and associated risk factors of STHs and S. mansoni infections among school children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in Gorgora and Chuahit towns, North Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia from January 20 to February 25, 2012 involving 261 school children. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and possible risk factors. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using Kato Katz method. Chi-square test was used to see if there is association between sociodemographic factors and other risk factors for STH and S. mansoni infection and odds ratio with 95% CI was computed as measures of association. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.ResultsOut of the 261 study participants, 174 (66.7%) were infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant isolates (39.8%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (6.1%) and Hookworms (4.9%). Schistosoma mansoni was detected in 33.7% of the children. Among infected individuals, 9.5% were coinfected by S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides and 1.5% with S. mansoni and T. trichiura. Swimming habit (OR: 2.536, 95% CI: 1.122, 5.737, P = 0.022) was significantly associated with S. mansoni infection.ConclusionThe prevalence of STH and S. mansoni was high among school children. This should call for implementation of an integrated strategy to reduce morbidity and control of transmission of STH and S. mansoni.
Highlights
School age children are one of the groups at high risk for intestinal parasitic infections especially in developing countries like Ethiopia as the supply of good quality drinking water and latrine coverage are poor
The overall prevalence of infection with soil transmitted helminths (STHs) and S. mansoni among school children of Gorgora and Chuahit towns, 66.7% was very high. This finding is in line with findings of a cross sectional survey conducted on STHs and S. mansoni infection among school children in Chilga district, northwest Ethiopia [20]
In other parasites differences was observed between the two studies in that the findings of the that study showed a higher prevalence of Hookworms (37.7%, range: 28.0% - 65.5%), S. mansoni (19.4%, range: 7.0% 64.3%) and T. trichiura (14.8%, range: 12.7%-20.8%) than the present study which showed a prevalence of 4.9%, 33.7%, and 6.1% for Hookworms, S. mansoni and T. trichiura respectively
Summary
School age children are one of the groups at high risk for intestinal parasitic infections especially in developing countries like Ethiopia as the supply of good quality drinking water and latrine coverage are poor. Schistosomiasis is common in many parts of the world and about 200 million people are infected globally [2] It is endemic in 76 countries and it is one of a public health concern in developing countries. Ethiopia is a country with the lowest quality drinking water supply and latrine coverage in the world [5] This unsafe and inadequate provision of water together with unhygienic living conditions and unsanitary waste management allow intestinal parasites and other communicable diseases to flourish in various localities [6]. Schitosomiasis is common in the area and if we see the distribution among the different parts of Ethiopia, it is a common disease in the northern region as compared to south and south west regions of Ethiopia [8]
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