Abstract:
Background: Soil-transmitted helminths are among the most common parasites worldwide and affect poor and deprived communities. It is one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality among school children. Heavy worm burdens lead to, impaired mental and physical development in children. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths is high, with an estimated 29 million people infected and children being the most affected group. Even school based deworming and school health program was not implemented in study area.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the magnitude of soil transmitted helminths and associated factor among primary school- children in Ejere town, West Shoa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted in four primary schools at Ejere Town, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from April 14 to April 28, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants from the four primary schools .The sample size was determined by a double population proportion formula, and the minimum number of study participants defined was 287 schoolchildren. Sociodemographic and associated factor related information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data about the detection and identification of soil transmitted helminths were obtained from the laboratory examination of stool specimens by using wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. A stool specimen from each study participant was collected using a clean, properly labeled, and leak proof stool cup. The data were processed in Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association and variables with a P value <0.25 were entered into multivariable logistic regression. A P value of <0.05 is used to declare a statistically significant
Results: A total of 287 children aged 5 14 years were participated in this study giving 100% response rate. The overall magnitude of soil transmitted helminths seen among primary school children was 171 59.6 %( 95% CI (53.9%, 65.3%).More over the study identified that sex (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.16, 3. 41), residence (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.85), family size (AOR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24]5, 0.83), and marital status of family (AOR: 1.73, 95%CI=1.33 2.24) were significantly associated with soil transmitted helminths.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The magnitude of Soil transmitted helminths among primary school children was found to be high in the study area. Family size, sex, evidence of west disposal, trimming nail grade and marital status of family were identified as factors associated with Soil transmitted helminths among primary school children.
