Browsing by Author "ABEL DERES TEKA"

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    SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTH INFECTIONS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, IN MEKHONI TOWN, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA, 2025: SCHOOL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.
    (Mekelle University, 2025-02-01) ABEL DERES TEKA
    Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are public health challenges among school-age children in developing countries like Ethiopia. Approximately 2 billion individuals worldwide carry at least one type of soil-transmitted helminth infection. Malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminths frequently occur together in the same area, affecting the same individuals simultaneously and perpetuating each other. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths, associated factors, and nutritional status of school-age children in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2025. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 277 schoolchildren in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia, from June 2024 to July 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics of study participants, and stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and anthropometric indices were generated using the WHO AnthroPlus software to determine the nutritional status of schoolchildren. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27 software. Descriptive statistics were applied to present the data using frequency, tables, figures, and bar graphs. Bivariate logistic regression was employed to show the correlation of the dependent variable with individual independent variables, and multivariate logistic regression was computed to identify the independent effect of the main explanatory variables on the outcomes of interest. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections was 16.2%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most identified parasite (10.1%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (6.1%) and hookworms (2.9%). Among the infected children, 31 (18.7%) were males and 14 (12.6%) were females. The number of infections was also higher among schoolchildren in the age group of 5-10 years (22, 18.4%) than 11-14 years (23, 14.65%). Statistically significant associations were observed between soil-transmitted helminth infections and family size (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.18-5.55, P = 0.017), fingernail cleanliness (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.14-6.03, P = 0.022), trimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.006-5.03, P = 0.002), and hand washing practice after using the toilet (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13-0.63, P = 0.002). The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 37.5%, with 22.2% being underweight (N = 117), 27.8% stunted, and 11.19% wasted. There was no statistically significant association between soil-transmitted helminth infection and nutritional status among study subjects. Conclusion: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections was 16.2%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species identified. The study also revealed a high prevalence of undernutrition among school-age children. Ensuring access to clean toilets and hand washing facilities in schools, emphasizing hand washing and nail care, may help reduce the burden of soil-transmitted helminths. Furthermore, introducing a school health and nutrition program may enhance the nutritional status of schoolchildren in the study area.