Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2020 Dec 11;15(12):e0243836. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243836. eCollection 2020.
Pre-school aged children (PSAC) are highly affected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), particularly in areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are inadequate. Context-specific evidence on determinants of STH infections in PSAC has not been well established in the study area. This study, therefore, aimed to fill these gaps in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia.
A community-based unmatched case-control study, nested in a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in January 2019. Cases and controls were identified based on any STH infection status using the Kato-Katz technique in stool sample examination. Data on social, demographic, economic, behavioral, and WASH related variables were collected from primary caregivers of children using pre-tested questionnaire. Determinants of STH infections were identified using multivariable logistic regression model using SPSS version 25.
A total of 1206 PSAC (402 cases and 804 controls) participated in this study. Our study showed that the odds of STH infection were lowest among PSAC living in urban areas (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.79), among those from households with safe water source (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.0.93), and in those PSAC from households with shorter distance from water source (<30 minutes) (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39-0.67). On the other hand, the odds of STH infection were highest among PSAC from households that had no functional hand washing facility (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.77), in those PSAC from households that had unclean latrine (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19-2.78), and among those PSAC under caregivers who had lower score (≤5) on knowledge related to STH transmission (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13-3.01).
Given efforts required eliminating STH by 2030; the existing preventive chemotherapy intervention should be substantially strengthened with WASH and behavioral interventions. Thus, an urgent call for action is required to integrate context-specific interventions, particularly in rural areas.
学龄前儿童（PSAC）极易受到土壤传播性蠕虫（STH）的影响，特别是在水、环境卫生和个人卫生（WASH）条件不足的地区。在研究区域，针对 PSAC 中 STH 感染决定因素的具体情况证据尚未得到充分确立。因此，本研究旨在填补这一空白。
2019 年 1 月，在埃塞俄比亚南部的 Gamo Gofa 区进行了一项基于社区的病例对照研究，嵌套在横断面调查中。通过粪便样本检查中的加藤技术，根据任何 STH 感染状况确定病例和对照。使用经过预测试的问卷，从儿童的主要照顾者那里收集有关社会、人口统计学、经济、行为和 WASH 相关变量的数据。使用 SPSS 版本 25 的多变量逻辑回归模型确定 STH 感染的决定因素。
共有 1206 名 PSAC（402 例病例和 804 例对照）参加了这项研究。我们的研究表明，在城市地区居住的 PSAC（优势比[OR] = 0.55，95%置信区间[CI]：0.39-0.79）、家中有安全水源的 PSAC（OR = 0.67，95%CI：0.47-0.0.93）以及家中离水源距离较短（<30 分钟）的 PSAC（OR = 0.51，95%CI：0.39-0.67），其 STH 感染的可能性最低。另一方面，家中没有功能齐全的洗手设施的 PSAC（OR = 1.36，95%CI：1.04-1.77）、家中卫生条件差的厕所（OR：1.82，95%CI：1.19-2.78）以及照顾者的知识得分（≤5）较低（与 STH 传播相关）的 PSAC（OR = 1.85，95%CI：1.13-3.01），其 STH 感染的可能性最高。
鉴于到 2030 年消除 STH 的努力；现有的预防性化疗干预措施应通过 WASH 和行为干预措施得到实质性加强。因此，需要紧急采取行动，整合特定于上下文的干预措施，特别是在农村地区。
