Neglected Tropical Diseases Team, SNNP Regional Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.
School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023 Jul 28;17(7):e0011484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011484. eCollection 2023 Jul.
Soil-transmitted helminthes pose the main health impact in tropical and sub-tropical regions, with children being at increased risk of infection. This study assessed the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes among school children and their association with water, sanitation, and hygiene condition in Hawassa City, southern Ethiopia.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A cross-sectional study design was employed on randomly selected 549 school-age children from 11 schools by using a multistage sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. Stool samples were collected and tested as fresh within 2 hours using the Kato-Katz technique as standard procedure. Data were analyzed by SPSS software; results were summarized using descriptive statistics, and a logistic regression model. Levels of considerable tests were determined with a 95% confidence interval and P-values <0.05. The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes was 49.7% (95% CI: 45.7%, 53.9%). Overall, water and latrines services were below the standard of 20 liters per person per day and one latrine seat per 50 boys and 25 girls respectively. In particular, no habit of washing hands with water and soap, 1.9%, (95% CI: 1.2%, 3.0%); inaccessible to safe drinking water, 10.8%, (95% CI: 3.96%, 30.26%); inaccessible to improved latrine, 10.8%, (95% CI: 1.5%, 78.4%); and practicing open defecation at school compound, 9.4%, (95% CI: 1.5%, 57.2%) were the main issues of concern observed.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Almost half of the studied children were infected with one or more soil-transmitted helminthes. Schools had inadequate water, sanitation, and poor personal hygiene practices. The infection by soil-transmitted helminthes among school children was high. This study has indicated that water, sanitation, and hygiene-related factors were the main risk factors for helminthes infestation in the study area. The school community needs to focus on actions that promote hygiene practices in the school.
土壤传播的蠕虫在热带和亚热带地区对健康造成主要影响，儿童感染的风险更高。本研究评估了埃塞俄比亚南部 Hawassa 市学童中土壤传播蠕虫的流行率及其与水、环境卫生和个人卫生条件的关联。
方法/主要发现：采用多阶段抽样方法，对随机抽取的 11 所学校的 549 名学龄儿童进行了横断面研究设计。使用结构化问卷和观察清单收集数据。采集粪便样本并在 2 小时内使用加藤厚涂片法作为标准程序进行新鲜检测。使用 SPSS 软件分析数据；结果使用描述性统计和逻辑回归模型进行总结。使用 95%置信区间和 P 值<0.05 来确定有意义的检验水平。土壤传播蠕虫的总流行率为 49.7%（95%CI：45.7%，53.9%）。总体而言，水和厕所服务低于每人每天 20 升和每 50 名男孩和 25 名女孩一个厕所座位的标准。特别是，没有用肥皂和水洗手的习惯，占 1.9%（95%CI：1.2%，3.0%）；无法获得安全饮用水，占 10.8%（95%CI：3.96%，30.26%）；无法获得改良厕所，占 10.8%（95%CI：1.5%，78.4%）；在学校场地进行露天排便，占 9.4%（95%CI：1.5%，57.2%），这些是观察到的主要问题。
结论/意义：几乎一半的研究儿童感染了一种或多种土壤传播的蠕虫。学校的水、环境卫生和个人卫生习惯较差。学童感染土壤传播的蠕虫率很高。本研究表明，水、环境卫生和与个人卫生相关的因素是该研究地区蠕虫感染的主要危险因素。学校社区需要关注在学校促进个人卫生习惯的行动。
