Ecological risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths infections in Ifedore district, Southwest Nigeria

Background Soil-Transmitted Helminths are a group of parasites that cause gastrointestinal infections in humans and require the soil to develop into their infective forms. Ecological factors such as soil temperature, soil pH and rainfall patterns are, however, important determinants for the successful transmission of soil helminths as they play a major role in their abundance and survival in the soil. The study investigated the ecological factors influencing the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths in Ifedore district, Southwest Nigeria. Results Out of the one hundred and ninety-two (192) soil samples from the study area, one hundred and fifty-two 152 (79.2%) were positive for the presence of soil helminths’ larvae and ova. Higher occurrence of soil helminths was recorded during the rainy months (n = 416) than during the months with no records of rainfall (n = 290). Sandy soil had the highest number of soil helminths 285 (40.4%), while clay soil recorded the least 88 (12.5%). Soil temperature showed negative correlations with the occurrence of Ancylostoma duodenale (r = − 0.53) and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (r = − 0.36), while soil conductivity showed positive correlations with the occurrence of Ascaris lumbricoides (r = 0.28) and A. duodenale (r = 0.34). Conclusion It is evident from the study that ecological factors played a significant role in the occurrence and abundance of soil-transmitted helminths. This research is important for predicting and monitoring soil-transmitted helminthiasis in endemic countries, and to devise effective control measures.

Prevalence and Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Associated Factors among Adolescents and Adults in Bibugn Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Soil-transmitted helminths are a common public health problem in Ethiopia, affecting all age groups. However, epidemiological studies and interventions primarily target school-age children, despite the fact that 44.6 million adults live in endemic areas. Hence, data on the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths infections and associated factors among adolescents and adults helps to expand interventions. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and associated factors among adolescents and adults in Bibugn Woreda, East Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bibugn Woreda from February to September 2021. Using multistage proportionate sampling technique, 641 adolescents and adults were enrolled in this study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with helminthic infections was collected using structured questionnaire prepared in Amharic and administered through face-to-face interview. Parasite detection in stool samples was performed using modified formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques following standard protocols. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 25. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with soil-transmitted helminths infections. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results. The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection was 20.9% (134/641). The most detected parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (12.5%), followed by hookworm species (7.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.1%). Fecal egg counts revealed that 96.5% (112/116) of the infections were with light parasite intensity, while 3.5% (4/116) were with moderate parasite intensity. Family size >5 (AOR = 1.866; 95% CI: 1.221–2.853; P = 0.004 ), absence of latrine (AOR = 3.675; 95% CI: 1.599–8.449; P = 0.002 ), and no habit of hand washing before meal (AOR = 2.622; 95% CI: 1.073–6.405; P = 0.034 ) were significantly associated with soil-transmitted helminths infections. Conclusion. There was moderate prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among adolescents and adults with predominance of A. lumbricoides. Family size greater than five, absence of latrine, and no hand washing habit before meal predisposed adolescents and adults for soil-transmitted helminths. The existing school-based interventions should expand to address adolescents and adults.

Inactivating Effects of Common Laboratory Disinfectants, Fixatives, and Temperatures on the Eggs of Soil Transmitted Helminths

This study systematically evaluates common laboratory disinfectants and storage conditions for their effectiveness in inactivating the infective stages of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Animal-infecting proxy species were chosen to represent three major groups of STH that infect humans: roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms.

Prevalence and Transmission of Soil Transmitted Helminths among Farmers Living Along the Metropolitan Section of River Kaduna, Nigeria

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are one of the world’s most important causes of physical and intellectual growth retardation. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and transmission of soil-transmitted helminths among farmers living along the metropolitan section of river Kaduna, Nigeria. Two billion people are infected globally and four billion at risk of infection to STH. Nigeria ranking first globally, accounts for about 156 million cases of STH. A total of 210 stool samples were randomly collected from farmers of seven (7) different farms located along the riverbank. The stool samples collected were examined for STHs using direct wet mount and formal ether sedimentation techniques. Questionnaires were administered to the farmers to assess their hygiene, sanitation, and health maintenance. The prevalence of STH based on the farmers' age and gender was also determined. Out of the total stool samples collected, 81(38.6%) were infected with at least one out of the four STH eggs. The eggs of hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides were the only helminths eggs detected. Hookworm was found to have a prevalence of 54.3% while A. lumbricoides have a prevalence of 45.7%. Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris tichuira both were found to have 0% prevalence. The risk factors such as personal hygiene, sanitation and health maintenance were found to have a significant influence on the prevalence (38.6%) (P<0.05) of STH among the farmers. The age prevalence shows that group 10 – 25 have the highest prevalence of 81.3% while age 36 – 45 shows the lowest prevalence of 2.4%. The gender prevalence shows that male farmers have the highest prevalence of 41.4% out of the total infected farmers (81). The findings could be as a result of farmers’ hygiene, sanitation and health maintenance on their various farms and their use of contaminated farm tools which acts as a medium for the transmission of the parasite eggs, while the younger age group work more hours than the older age group and the male farmer spends more time in the farm than the female.

An Assessment of Implementation of Mass Drug Administration for Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Selected Southern Malawi Districts

Background Mass drug administration (MDA) is one of the key interventions recommended by WHO for prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases. In Malawi, MDA is widely carried out annually since 2012 for prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH). No study has been carried out to assess effectiveness of the approach and to document perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries regarding use of MDA. This study aimed to examine perceived strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, as well as health providers’ and beneficiaries’ perspectives of implementing the strategy in Malawi. Methods As a cross-sectional implementation research, the study was carried out in three southern Malawi districts of Chiradzulu, Mangochi and Zomba. In each district, four health centres and 16 villages were randomly selected to participate. A mixed-methods approach to data collection focusing on quantitative data for coverage and knowledge, attitudes and practices assessments; and qualitative data for assessing perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries regarding MDA was used. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 26 while qualitative data were analysed using NVivo 12 for Windows. Results Knowledge levels about schistosomiasis and STH in the districts varied according to disease aspects asked about. Majority are more knowledgeable about what schistosomiasis is (78%) and whether STH are treatable with drugs (97%); with least knowledgeable about the organism that transmits schistosomiasis (18%), types of schistosomiasis (11%) and what causes STH (20%). In 2018 and 2019 the districts registered high coverage rates for praziquantel and albendazole using community-based MDA (73%-100%) and using school-based MDA (75%-91%). Both the health authorities and community members perceived the MDA approach as good because it brings treatment closer to people. Conclusion With the high MDA coverage obtained in schools and communities, the implementation of MDA in the target districts is satisfactory. There are, however, several challenges including disproportionate knowledge levels, which are hampering progress towards attainment of the 2030 global NTD goals. There is a need for promotion of community participation and partnerships as well as implementation of other recommended interventions for sustainable prevention and control of schistosomiasis and STH.

Confirmation of multi-parallel quantitative real-time PCR as the gold standard for detecting soil-transmitted helminths in stool

Due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, microscopy has seen extensive field-use as the diagnostic standard for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in stool samples. However, the sensitivity of microscopy-based detection is inadequate in reduced-transmission settings where worm burden is oftentimes low. Equally problematic, eggs of closely related species oftentimes have indistinguishable morphologies, leading to species misidentification. In light of these shortcomings, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate multi-parallel quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) as the new “gold standard” for STH detection. Accordingly, stool samples from non-endemic participants were spiked with limited numbers of eggs or larvae (1 to 40) of five different species of STH. DNA extracts were tested using two unique multi-parallel real-time PCR-based diagnostic methods. These methods employed different target sequences (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, or highly repetitive non-coding regions), to evaluate the detection of DNA from as little as one egg per sample. There was a statistically significant kendall correlation between egg/larvae counts and qPCR from both methods for Trichuris trichiura (0.86 and 0.872 for NHM and Baylor assays) and a strong correlation (0.602 and 0.631 for NHM and Baylor assays, respectively) for Ascaris lumbricoides. Less strong but still significant was the Kendall Tau-b value for A. duodenale (0.408 for both) and for S. stercoralis (0.483 and 0.653, respectively). In addition, using field stool samples from rural Argentina both assays had fair to moderate kappa agreement (0.329-0.454), except for Strongyloides stercoralis (0.121) that both assays had slight agreement. In spite of the small cohort of samples, both qPCR assays, targeting of two independent genomic regions, provided reproducible results and we believe that, low cost multi-parallel quantitative real-time PCR-based diagnostics should supplant microscopy as the new gold standard for stool-based detection of soil transmitted helminths in public-health and community settings.

Identifikasi Telur Soil Transmitted Helminths Pada Caisim (Brassica chinensis) di Pasar Patikraja Kabupaten Banyumas

Caisim (Brassica chinensis) is one of the vegetables that has many benefits such as protein, carbohydrates, fat and plays an important role in meeting food needs, and is good for health. Caisim is well adapted to high temperatures and the price is relatively stable and easy to cultivate. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths eggs in caisim (B. chinensis). The research was conducted in a descriptive observational. The research was conducted in July-August 2020 at Parasitology and Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto. Identification of Soil-Transmitted Helminths eggs from 20 caisim as the samples used NaCl flotation method and were analyzed by using a univariate test with tabulated frequency distribution. The results showed that no Soil-Transmitted Helminths eggs were found in caisim (B. chinensis). Caisim (Brassica chinensis) merupakan sayuran yang mempunyai banyak kandungan manfaat seperti protein,karbohidrat, lemak dan berperan penting untuk memenuhi kebutuhan pangan serta baik untuk kesehatan. Caisimmampu beradaptasi dengan baik terhadap suhu tinggi serta harga relatif stabil dan mudah diusahakan. Tujuanpenelitian ini untuk mengetahui adanya telur Soil Transmitted Helminths terdapat pada caisim (B. chinensis).Penelitian dilakukan secara observasional deskriptif. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Juli-Agustus 2020 diLaboratorium Parasitologi Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokwerto. Identifikasi telur SoilTransmitted Helminthsdari 20 sampel caisim dengan metode Flotasi NaCl. dianalisis dengan uji univariat dengandistribusi tabulasi frekuensi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan tidak ditemukan telur Soil Transmitted Helminths padacaisim (B. chinensis)

Environmental sanitation factors as prevalence support of soil transmitted helminths

The prevalence of soil transmitted helminths (STH) is closely related to the defecation facilities for rural communities, such as: the habit of defecating openly on the ground, in gardens and using open latrines in rivers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of environmental sanitation risk factors on the prevalence of STH infection. This study was included in an analytical epidemiological study at two locations, using a cross sectional study as the research design. The location were Sri Kembang Village, Bukit Village, which is included in Betung District, Banyuasin Regency, and South Sumatra, Indonesia for 30 days. There were 252 students as the research sample. Data analysis showed that the prevalence of T. trichiura was higher in Sri Kembang State Primary School Number 1 with mild to very severe infection degrees. The intensity of A. lumbricoides infection in Bukit State Primary School Number 1 got a higher prevalence than Sri Kembang. Open defecation, gardens or open latrines, and types of houses with dirt floors indicate environmental sanitation factors that are sufficient to support the prevalence of STH. For further research, it is recommended to examine socio-economic risk factors.

Soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal protozoa and Clonorchis sinensis infections in southeast China

Background Extensive parasitic diseases epidemiology in Zhejiang province has not been carried out since the second national survey in 2004. Therefore, dynamics in prevalence and infection pattern of the major intestinal parasites should be explored. Methods The distribution of three parasites including soil-transmitted helminths (STH), intestinal protozoa and C. sinensis in Zhejiang from 2014 to 2015 were explored. Kato-Katz technique was used for STH and C. sinensis detection, whereas transparent adhesive paper anal swab was used for pinworm detection, and iodine smear was used for protozoa detection. A questionnaire survey on alimentary habits and sanitary behaviors was conducted in half of the studied counties. Results This study recruited 23,552 participants: 19,935 from rural and 3617 from urban area. Overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was 1.80%. In this study, seven helminth species were identified including A. duodenale, N. americanus, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, C. sinensis, Fasciolopsis buski and pinworm. The average prevalence of STH infection was 1.71%: 1.94% in rural and 0.44% in urban area. Hookworm was the most prevalent infection at 1.58%: 1.79% in rural and 0.44% in urban area. Prevalence varied considerably in the studied counties. Prevalence was highest in Yongkang county at 10.25%. Only 2.79% of children from rural area were infected with pinworm. A proportion of 0.40% of rural participants were infected with protozoa, whereas Endolimax nana was the most prevalent at 0.23%. C. sinensis showed infection only in one man. Awareness on C. sinensis was 24.47% in rural and 45.96% in urban area, respectively. Conclusions Prevalence of STH and protozoa infections declined considerably whereas C. sinensis infections remained few in Zhejiang province compared with the prevalence reported in previous large scale surveys (19.56% for national STH infection in 2004, 18.66% and 4.57% for provincial STH and protozoa infection, respectively in 1999). The findings of this study showed that hookworm, mainly N. americanus remained a parasitic threat to population health, mainly in the central and western Zhejiang. Therefore, more health education regarding fertilization and farming habits is necessary in rural areas. The awareness concerning hookworm infection should be reinforced.

Community Drug Distributor Knowledge, Attitudes, and Motivation Surrounding Mass Drug Administration for Soil-Transmitted Helminths in India

Background: DeWorm3 is an ongoing multi-country community-based cluster-randomized trial assessing the feasibility of interrupting transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA). In Tamil Nadu, India, community drug distributors (CDDs) worked with DeWorm3 field staff to counsel community members and deliver door-to-door deworming treatment. As CDDs were likely to influence successful delivery of cMDA, we describe drivers of CDDs' knowledge, attitudes, and motivation toward delivery of cMDA.Methods: In this convergent mixed-methods study, a questionnaire on STH and cMDA was administered to 104 CDDs and 17 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Key outcomes in the quantitative and qualitative analyses included CDDs' knowledge about STH and cMDA and attitudes toward cMDA for STH. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the strength of associations between independent and outcome variables. The FGDs were analyzed using a priori thematic coding.Results: CDDs who completed at least secondary school education [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.71, 95% CI: 1.16–6.33] and had prior experience in health programs (aOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.15–6.44) were more knowledgeable about STH and cMDA. CDDs belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (aOR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.04–5.39), and to households engaged in a skilled occupation (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.21–6.34) had a more positive attitude toward cMDA for STH. The FGDs showed that while there were myths and misconceptions about STH, many CDDs believed that the adult population in their communities were infected with STH, and that a door-to-door drug delivery strategy would be optimal to reach adults.Conclusions: Educational and socioeconomic backgrounds and experience in health programs should be considered while designing CDD trainings. Along with cMDA delivery for STH, as CDD do share community myths and misconceptions around STH, they should be proactively addressed during the CDD training to strengthen competency in counseling.