Abstract:
Soil- transmitted helminth parasite infections constitute major public health challenges among
school children in developing tropical and sub-tropical countries. The objective of the present
study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with soil transmitted helminth
parasite infections among school children in Meti Primary School of Oromiya Region,
Ethiopia. The study was school based cross sectional survey, involving 408 participants (203
males and 205 females, age ranging from 7-18 years). Structured pre-tested questionnaires
were administered to gather relevant information on demographic data of the school children.
Stool samples were processed for microscopic examinations using direct wet mount and
formol ether concentration method. Weight and height were taken to assess body mass index
(BMI) of each study participant. The Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and
anthropometry calculating software (Anthroplus). The NCHS growth chart reference was used
to estimate the prevalence of underweight/thinness and stuntedness among study participants
in the 7-10 11-14 and 15-18 years age group. The overall prevalence of soil- transmitted
helminth parasite infections was 10.3 % (10.3% for males and 10.2% for females). Multiple
infections with three soil-transmitted helminthes parasites were found in 1.2 % (5/408) of the
sample participants. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichiuris trichiura and
hookworm infections were 6.7%, 2.2%, and 1.2%, respectively. The prevalence of soiltransmitted
helminth infections was significantly associated (p= 0.007) with washing hands
after defecation. Most of the socio-demographic factors, (family size, parents’ occupation,
parent educational level, and personal hygiene, source of water and its handling, shoes
wearing and residence) were not significantly associated with soil-transmitted helminth infections. The percentage of anthropometric indices of study participants among 7-10 years
age group was 38.9%, 4.9%, and 42.9% for underweight, stunting, and wasting, respectively
while the percentage of underweight/thinness in the 11-18 years age group was 39.1%. The
present study did not find any statistically significant association on the soil-transmitted
helminth infections with malnutrition. Coordinated work with health officers and school
community is required on the investigation of STH parasite infection.
