Abstract
BackgroundIntestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis are the major public health problems globally. Compared with any other age group, pre-school aged children and school-aged children are the most exposed. There are few studies showing the burden of intestinal schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among pre-school aged children in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths and associated risk factors among preschool aged children of Chuahit and surrounding Kebeles, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross sectional study was conducted from February 2 to March 27 2015. Four hundred one preschool-aged children were included in the study by using two stage cluster sampling technique. Pretested structured questionnaire was employed to collected data via face-to-face interview technique. A single stool specimen was collected, and a portion of the sample was processed by Kato Katz method.ResultsOf the total children, 141 (35.2 %) harbored one or more intestinal helminthes. Schistosoma mansoni was found in 45 (11.2 %) of preschool age children. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant isolate, 77 (19.2 %) followed by S. mansoni, 45 (11.2 %). The least parasites isolated were Tania species, 2 (0.5 %). After adjusting for other variables, being mothers who did not have the habit of washing hands after toilet (AOR = 7.3, 95%CI: 2.97–17.95), being occupationally housewife mothers (AOR = 8.9, 95%CI: 2.27–25.4), using protected spring water as a main family source of water (AOR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.2–12.3) and child habit of not wearing shoe (AOR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.01–3.64) were significantly associated with high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among preschool-age children in Chuahit.ConclusionThe current study showed that relatively higher level of STH and S. mansoni among preschool-aged children in Chuahit. This finding calls for a need of public health education, promotion of women education and provision of safe water to reduce the burden of soil-transmitted intestinal helminthiasis and schistosomiaisis.
Highlights
Intestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis are the major public health problems globally
The current study has demonstrated that intestinal helmenthiasis and Schistosomiasis were prevalent in varying degree among preschool-aged children (PSAC) in the study area
Maternal habit of not washing hands after toilet, being housewife maternal occupation, the use of protected spring water as a main family source of water and child habit of not wearing shoe were significantly associated with high prevalence of soiltransmitted helminthiasis
Summary
Intestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis are the major public health problems globally. There are few studies showing the burden of intestinal schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among pre-school aged children in Ethiopia. Intestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis are the major medical and public health problems in many parts of the world. Schistosomiasis is a chronic Neglected Tropical parasitic disease (NTD) caused by schistosome species (S. haematobium, S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. mekongi and S. intercalatum) found in fresh water, and human beings that come into contact with fresh water containing fresh water snails are at risk for infection. Recognizing the public health impact of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a minimum target for the control of morbidity due to these parasitic worm infections, urging member states to regularly treat at least 75 % of all school-aged children (SAC) at risk of morbidity [4]
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