Abstract

SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHES INFECTION AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SHIKAN LOCALITY NORTH KORDOFAN STATE 2017

Aisha Abass Sharf Eldeen* and Adam Abdallah Mohamed

Abstract

This cross sectional community based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of (soil-transmitted helminths) infections among primary school pupils in North kordafan State, Sudan; a Sample of 383 pupils’ in duration from April 2016 to November 2017 was selected. was examined parasitic infections by using a direct smear examination (Kato–Katz techniques). Also a questionnaire was filled by the participants. Our results showed an overall prevalence rate was 38.1% soil-transmitted helminthes infections amongst the pupils. The various soil transmitted helminthes isolated were Ascaris lumbricoides (45%), Hookworm (29.5%), Trichuris trichuria (19.8%) and infected pupils by more than one species of Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) was (4.1%). The incidence of infection was similar in age group 6- 14 was (38% -39%) however it was lower in age group 15 – 17 was (28%) probably due to improved hygiene. The study showed a significant relation between Many factors affect STH infections like hygiene, source of water in school (P=0.000) buy food and Breakfast (P=0.05), wash your hands before eating(P= 0.011) and after use bathroom(P=0.05) and Fingernails trimmed(P=0.003) These habits were the most determinant risk factors for overall prevalence of intestinal helminthes. The high prevalence (above 20%) and diversity of soil transmitted helminthes among children in North Kordfan requires that health authorities carry out urgent interventions like public treatment as recommended by the WHO.

Keywords: Soil transmitted helminthes, school age children, Ascaris lumbricoides, and epidemiology.