High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis among primary schoolchildren in Southwest Ethiopia: the need for health strategies alongside mass drug administration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis remain widely prevalent in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Republic, Southwest Ethiopia) and the association with knowledge and health-related behaviors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Stool samples, analyzed by the Kato-Katz technique and a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, were collected.

Results

Out of 611 participants (mean age 12.8±3.1 y), 129 (21.1%) were infected with schistosomiasis and 382 (62.5%) had STH. More than 30% (n=195, 31.9%) were infected with a single intestinal parasite, while 138 (22.6%) and 47 (7.7%) were

SUBMITTER: Meleko A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11375566 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature