Schistosoma mansoni and soil transmitted helminths co-infestation among the 5-14 years old and risk factors in Buyende district, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a water-based disease transmitted by schistosomes. Schistosomes usually co-infest their hosts with soil transmitted helminths (STHs) parasites due to overlapping poverty-related factors favoring their distribution. This leads to severe morbidity, which may result into complications such as; long-term physical and mental growth retardation, poor cognitive development, disability as well as deaths. Efforts to achieve the elimination target are still a challenge mainly because of drug resistance and sanitation-related behavioral patterns. The objective of the study was to determine the co-infection prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and STHs parasites among children, 5–14 years and the associated risk factors in Buyende district. Methods & Materials: Stool samples from 400 children distributed in nine purposively selected villages of Kagulu sub-county in Buyende district were processed for S. mansoni and STHs before a face–face standardized interview guide was administered to ascertain factors responsible for perpetuating the parasites in the communities. Results: The prevalence of co-infection of S. mansoni and STH was 5%, mostly co-infected with hookworms. Mono infection of S. mansoni was 10.8%, hookworm (14.3%), E. vermicularis (0.8%). There was a strong association between; school status (AOR = 17.51, 95% CI = 5.35–50.96, p < 0.001), education of the care take (AOR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.56–4.23) p-value <0.001), the house building material from where the respondent resided (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.02–1.40), frequency of swimming per week (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.56–4.23, p < 0.002) and risk of being co-infected with Schistosoma mansoni and STH. Conclusion: Illiteracy of care takers and children not attending school being the critical risk factors should prompt an increased health education with information, education and communication (IEC) materials urgently for intervention especially among individuals of low socio-economic status in fishing communities.