Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Schoolchildren around Lake Tana, Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most common neglected tropical diseases widely distributed in tropical countries with poor socioeconomic development. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm are the three major STHs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STHs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in selected primary schools around Lake Tana, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2021 involving 337 study participants. A systematic random sampling method was utilized to select the study participants from the selected schools. Data related to sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants and risk factors for STH infections were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Stool samples were collected in sterile plastic containers from each participant and processed using Kato-Katz thick fecal smear and Ritchie's concentration techniques. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software tool version 23, and factors with a p < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

The overall prevalence of STH infection was 38.3% (95% CI: 33.1-43.7). Hookworm infection was the predominant STH infection, which was detected in 26.1% schoolchildren followed by A. lumbricoides (14.8%) and T. trichiura (1.5%). Most of the study subjects (34.1%) had single infections, whereas only 4.2% study subjects had multiple helminthic infections. Among the risk factors considered in the study, lack of shoe wearing habit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=29.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]=6.59-132.55; p < 0.001), lack of knowledge on the prevention and control methods (AOR = 5.41; 95% CI = 2.44-11.98; p < 0.001), engagement in irrigation activities (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.02-4.57, p = 0.049), lack of toilet (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 1.31-7.16; p = 0.01), children grades of 5-8 (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.26-5.43; p = 0.01), playing on soils (AOR = 5.90; 95% CI = 2.79-12.49; p < 0.001), lack of fingernail trimming habit (AOR = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.57-6.55; p = 0.001), and male gender (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19-4.39; p = 0.013) were significant explanatory factors for STH infection among schoolchildren in the study area.

Conclusions

The present study showed that STHs were common among schoolchildren around Lake Tana. Therefore, education on personal and environmental hygiene should be taken into account to reduce the prevalence of STH infection in the study area.

[School-age children'S knowledge and perceptions concerning Soil-transmitted Helminthiases and Targeted Preventive Chemotherapy in Ghana's Oti Region]

Background

The Ghana Neglected Tropical Diseases control program aimed to raise population awareness on soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and achieve a 100% coverage of preventive chemotherapy (PCT) by 2020. This study aims at determining the factors associated with the knowledge of school-age children and describing their perceptions at Krachi East Municipal in Ghana.

Patients and methods

It was a cross-sectional study. Children and their caregivers were selected from 8 communities following a two-stage stratified sampling. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed at a 5% significance level.

Results

352 children and their caregivers were surveyed, mainly from Dambai (66.48%). The median age was 11 (IQR: 9-12) years and the children aged 7-14 years. About half of the children were males (53.13%) and most caregivers were females (66.48%). Most children perceived a benefit associated with PCT (94.89%). The proportion of children perceiving a health risk did not differ significantly from those not perceiving a risk (49.72% vs 50.28%; p=0.8802). In general, children had poor knowledge (91.19% vs 8.81%; p<0.0001). Good knowledge was associated with ethnic group [Guan: aOR=3.96 95%CI 1.11-14.12; p=0.034], child age [(11-12 years: aOR=6.05 95%CI 1.21-30.22; p=0.026); (13-14 years: aOR=8.19 95%CI 1.64-40.89; p=0.010)] and caregivers' sex (Female: aOR=2.97 95%CI 1.02-8.66; p=0.046) in the adjusted model.

Conclusion

Younger children and male caregivers seem to have low knowledge of intestinal worms and PCT. Therefore, they must get more attention regarding health education.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among Village Health Volunteers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Soil-transmitted helminth infections are most prevalent in rural populations. Village health volunteers (VHVs) are the key individuals for Thai primary healthcare. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis in VHVs. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 552 VHVs randomly selected from four subdistricts in a southern province of Thailand. Sociodemographic variables and information regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to soil-transmitted helminthiasis were collected using a structured questionnaire. The results demonstrated that VHVs had poor knowledge (70.47%) and practices (66.49%); however, 69.57% had good attitudes. Most VHVs had inadequate knowledge and practices regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis. VHVs who had been trained in parasitic infection control measures were 2.18 times more likely to have good knowledge. VHVs with a monthly family income of more than 307 USD were 1.58 times more likely to have a good attitude. VHVs with good knowledge were more likely to have good practices. In conclusion, the development of training programs and health promotion should be considered to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to soil-transmitted helminthiasis in VHVs, who are the key individuals for providing health education to community members.

Community Drug Distributor Knowledge, Attitudes, and Motivation Surrounding Mass Drug Administration for Soil-Transmitted Helminths in India

Background: DeWorm3 is an ongoing multi-country community-based cluster-randomized trial assessing the feasibility of interrupting transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA). In Tamil Nadu, India, community drug distributors (CDDs) worked with DeWorm3 field staff to counsel community members and deliver door-to-door deworming treatment. As CDDs were likely to influence successful delivery of cMDA, we describe drivers of CDDs' knowledge, attitudes, and motivation toward delivery of cMDA.

Methods: In this convergent mixed-methods study, a questionnaire on STH and cMDA was administered to 104 CDDs and 17 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Key outcomes in the quantitative and qualitative analyses included CDDs' knowledge about STH and cMDA and attitudes toward cMDA for STH. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the strength of associations between independent and outcome variables. The FGDs were analyzed using a priori thematic coding.

Results: CDDs who completed at least secondary school education [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.71, 95% CI: 1.16–6.33] and had prior experience in health programs (aOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.15–6.44) were more knowledgeable about STH and cMDA. CDDs belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (aOR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.04–5.39), and to households engaged in a skilled occupation (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.21–6.34) had a more positive attitude toward cMDA for STH. The FGDs showed that while there were myths and misconceptions about STH, many CDDs believed that the adult population in their communities were infected with STH, and that a door-to-door drug delivery strategy would be optimal to reach adults.

Conclusions: Educational and socioeconomic backgrounds and experience in health programs should be considered while designing CDD trainings. Along with cMDA delivery for STH, as CDD do share community myths and misconceptions around STH, they should be proactively addressed during the CDD training to strengthen competency in counseling.

An Integrated Approach to Assess Knowledge/Perceptions and Attitudes/Practices (KAP) Regarding Major Neglected Tropical Diseases Endemic in the Mbengwi Health District, North West Region, Cameroon

Background and objectives

Preventive chemotherapy (PCT) is the main strategy currently used to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH), and community participation (through implementation or adherence to PCT) is critical. This study aimed at investigating knowledge/perceptions of populations of the Mbengwi health district (North West Region, Cameroon), in relation to their attitudes/practices regarding the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Methods

A household-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Mbengwi health district (North West Region, Cameroon) using the cluster sampling technique. Clusters were selected using the probability proportionate to estimate size strategy. In each cluster, the random walk technique was used for the selection of households, and a structure questionnaire was administered to 2–3 of its members.

Results

A total of 254 households from 26 clusters were visited, and 514 individuals were interviewed. The sex ratio of interviewees (1.08) was unbiased, and their ages ranged between 10 and 99 years old. Though most of the respondents declared having already heard of these NTDs (41.6%, 73.9% and 90.5% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively), only a minority of them were aware of how they are acquired/transmitted (8.9%, 9.2% and 32.7% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively), or prevented (23.1%, 18.9% and 47.2% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively).

Conclusions

This study revealed poor knowledge/perceptions and wrong attitudes/practices of interviewees as regards to these NTDs, and these misconceptions can seriously affect the adherence and contribution of populations to the success of PCTs. It appears compulsory to reinforce information, education, and communication, with a focus on the rationale and importance behind PCTs, to optimize/improve community participation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44197-021-00010-8.

Predictors Associated With Knowledge and Practice of Helminthic Infection Prevention Among Rural School-Aged Children's Parents in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Parasitic infection has become a major public health concern in light of its increasing prevalence in developing countries, particularly in rural settings. Helminthic infections disproportionately affect children, and therefore appropriate parental knowledge and practical approaches to transmission prevention are essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and implementation measures aimed at preventing helminthic infection among rural school-aged children's parents in Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the parents of 449 rural school-aged children residing in 17 villages of the Cumilla district in Bangladesh. Participants completed the survey examining socio-demographic variables as well as questions regarding knowledge and practice of helminthic infection prevention (HIP).

Results: Local knowledge about children's HIP was inadequate among their parents (81.5%). Furthermore, actual implementation of HIP measures was poor (42.1%). Knowledge of HIP was significantly associated with parental religion, education, occupation, number of family members, family income, housing conditions, and sanitation system. In addition, practice of HIP was significantly associated with the aforementioned factors, as well as with water source and knowledge of HIP.

Conclusion: Lack of concern about parasitic infection among children's parents and their untoward effects on children's health is pervasive in rural parental settings, along with ignorance on helminthic transmission and its prevention. Public education programs aimed at addressing these glaring HIP awareness deficits are needed in Bangladesh.