Abstract:
Background: Intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis are the major public health problems in many parts of the world. Compared with any other age group, pre-school aged children and school-aged children are the most exposed. There are few studies which show the burden of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthes among pre-school aged children in other part of Ethiopia.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of scistosoma mansoni and soil transmitted helminths and associated risk factors among preschool aged children of Chuahit and surrounding Kebeles, North west Ethiopia.
Method: community based cross sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2015. A total of 401 preschool aged children were included in this study by using two stage cluster sampling technique. Data was collected by pretested and semi structured questionnaire using interview technique by health extension workers. A single stool specimen was collected and a portion of the sample was processed by Kato Katz method.
Results: Among 401 pre school age children examined using single Kato-Katz method, 141 (35.2%) had one or more intestinal helminthes. S. mansoni was also isolated in 45 (11.2%) of PSAC. A. lumbricoides was the predominant isolate 77 (19.2%) followed by S. mansoni 45 (11.2%) with the least of Tania species 2 (0.5%). Significant association was observed between prevalence of STH and mothers of PSAC being house wife ( AOR = 8.9, 95% CI = 2.27 – 34, P = 0.037), PSAC who do not have a habit of washing hands after toilet (AOR = 7.34, 95% CI = 2.9 – 18, P = 0.00) and family‟s main source of water (AOR = 3.9, 95%CI = 1.2- 12.3, P = 0.02). Significant association was also observed between prevalence of S. masoni and those PSAC who have been washed by their mothers in river (AOR = 17, 95%CI = 5.14,63, p- value = 0.00) and those PSAC who see blood in their stool (AOR = 2.169, 95% CI = 1.043, 4.3, p- value = 0.038).
Conclusion: The current study showed that relatively higher level of STH and S. mansoni among PSAC of Chuahit and surrounding Kebeles. Mothers of PSAC in the study area had limited knowledge on ways of transmission and preventive methods of STH and S. mansoni
