Abstract:
Soil-transmitted helminth infection (STHI) affect mainly the school children in Ethiopia.
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are transmitted through contaminated soil, resulting
growth retardation, weight loss, anemia, school absenteeism, and poor academic performance
in school children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk
factors of soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children from selected schools
in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among school
children in Bahir Dar from March to April 2021. The three primary schools were selected
purposively by their closeness to the rural part of the city and also there is no epidemiological
information present on the prevalence of STHI. A total of 422 children’s were selected using
systematic random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain
information regarding the socio- demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. A
stool specimen was collected using sterilized stool cup and examined for the presence of STH
microscopically using formol-ether concentration technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS
version 26. Chi-square (χ2) test was performed to verify the possible association between the
prevalence of STHs and potential risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was also done to
estimate the strength of association between STHIs and potential risk factors. Variables that
have P-value < 0.05 were taken statistically significant. The overall prevalence of STHI in the
present study was 13.6%. The major STHs identified were hookworm (7.75%), followed by
Ascaris lumbricoides (5.8%), and Trichuris trichuria (0.48%). Age was the only factor
associated with STHIs (P<0.05). Students who were in the age group 7 to 10 years (AOR=
3.371; 95% CI: 1.442, 7.881) and 11 to 15 years (AOR= 2.268; 95% CI: 1.037, 4.959) were
more likely to be infected by STHIs than the age group above 15 years. Even though, the
study showed a relatively low prevalence of STHI (13.6%), proper follow-up should be
practiced especially to the younger children and awareness creation programs should be given
to all children so that they will practice healthy lifestyle.