Abstract:
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are a group of worms which are among the most common human infections worldwide. They are mainly nematodes that transmit via ingestion of infective ova or skin penetration by larvae in the soil. Soil transmitted helminths infection (STHI) is among serious global public health problems affecting the poorest and most deprived sections of a population. The most common STHs or nematodes are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworms (Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale) and Strongyloides stercoralis affecting an estimated 5.3 billion people including 1.0 billion school-aged children (Pullan and Brooker, 2012). The greatest STH related public health burden occurs in sub-Saharan Africa (Bethony et al., 2006, Hotez et al., 2008).
A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report indicates that A. lumbricoides alone infected over one billion people followed by T.trichiura 795 million and the hookworms 740 million (WHO, 2013).
Poverty, illiteracy and impoverished health service facility are the major factors behind the increased prevalence of STHI. Lack of awareness of simple and easy health promotion practices is the main contributing factor for its increasing prevalence. Low-level environmental sanitation and personal hygiene due to improper disposal of human excreta and animal wastes leads to frequent contamination of food, drinking water and the wider environment. This in turn results in increased prevalence and intensity of STHI. Although, STHI are mostly chronic and remain asymptomatic.