Abstract
Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources has been advocated as necessary add-on strategy for sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) alongside annual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole to endemic communities. This study investigated the burden of STH and status of WASH resources in eight rural communities in Aiyedaade LGA, Osun State, Nigeria. Four of the communities were supported with improved water and hygiene resources (Category A), and another four supported only with improved water resources (Category B). Two hundred and sixteen (216) fresh stool samples were collected from consenting community members and screened for Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections using ether concentration method. The status and condition of WASH resources were determined using questionnaire and physical observation. An overall prevalence of 35.2% was observed for any STH infection. Species’ prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 33.8%, 22.7%, and 0.5% respectively. Intensity of STH infection was significantly higher in Category A communities than in Category B communities. The prevalence of STH in Category A communities was higher (42.0%) than that in Category B communities (30.1%). There were significant differences (p = 0.000) in STH infections between the two categories. The status of improved water supply was not significantly different (p = 0.3153) in the two categories. Knowledge, attitude, and practices about STH, its transmission and control were low in both categories of communities. These results imply that current implementation of WASH which tends to focus on resource distribution, equity, and coverage, is unlikely to impact on STH transmission and control. Therefore, it is necessary for WASH providers to consider STH transmission control in their planning and implementation of WASH intervention for STH endemic communities.
Highlights
Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections affect more than 2 billion people worldwide, with the greatest indices in sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, China and East-Asia [1] [2] [3] [4]
This study investigated the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and status of WASH resources in eight rural communities in Aiyedaade LGA, Osun State, Nigeria
These results imply that current implementation of WASH which tends to focus on resource distribution, equity, and coverage, is unlikely to impact on STH transmission and control
Summary
Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections affect more than 2 billion people worldwide, with the greatest indices in sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, China and East-Asia [1] [2] [3] [4]. Four species of worms cause most infection: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus [5]. These groups of worms are not uncommon in rural developing countries, usually because their transmission cycle requires the existing adequate soil moisture and warm temperature for larval development [6] [7] [8]. Other exacerbating factors that aid the development of their eggs and transmission of infective larva to susceptible hosts include lack of water supply source, sanitation, and poor personal hygiene especially shoe wearing and hand washing [7] [9]. Providing access to improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) resource has gained traction as the world tries to eliminate the disease by 2020
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
