EVALUATION OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS IN WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE-BASED COMMUNITIES, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT FATIGUE IN OGUN CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions due to unsafe water, inadequate hygiene, and poor sanitation. This study evaluated two NTDs (schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH)) in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) based communities in Ogun Central and the associated risk factors. Stool and urine samples were collected from 1,019 school pupils in 20 communities from March 2021 to March 2023.The twenty communities grouped under four local government areas namely Odeda, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North and Obafemi - Owode.Stool and urine samples were examined for the presence of helminths and schistosomes using the Kato Katz technique and the urine filtration method, respectively. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to the pupils to obtain information on demographic characteristics, WASH resources and characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes, also to evaluate anthelminthic fatigue. The collected data were analyzed for descriptive (frequency, percent) and inferential statistics (chi-square) using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results showed that 199 (22%), 17 (2%) and 24 (2%) participants were infected with STH, Schistosoma mansoniandSchistosoma haematobium, respectively.Among the STHs,Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (11%), followed by hookworm (6%) while Trichuris trichiura had the lowest prevalence (3%).There were more female (56%) than male (44%) respondents. However, the overall prevalence was higher in male than female (χ2= 0.879; p>0.05).There was a significant association (p<0.05) between pupils’ ages and S. haematobium infection. Furthermore, a significant association (χ2 = 0.000; p<0.05) was observed between water supply sources and urinary schistosomiasis, but not between watersupply sources and STH (χ2 = 0.575; p > 0.05). Exactly 63% of the respondents did not treat water at all, while 37% treated their drinking water. The highest infection of STH and schistosomiasis was observed for respondents using bush as a means of defecation (30%). The sanitation assessment with the prevalence of STH (χ2 = 0.965; p>0.05) showed no significant difference while S. haematobium infection (χ2 = 0.045; p<0.05) showed significant association with toilet facilities. The hygiene assessment of footwear did not show any significant relationship (p>0.05) for STH and schistosomiasis. Haematuria showed significantassociation (χ2 = 0.000; p<0.05) with S. haematobium infection. On geophagy, STH prevalence showed 21% and 25% infection rates for those that ate soil and those that did not, respectively. Results showed that 76% did not experience any treatment fatigue, while 7% and 5% had headaches and stomachaches, respectively after using anthelmintics. The attitude of respondents towards the usage of anthelmintics revealed that 89% of respondents have never thrown drugs away, while 8% threw them away. This study revealed that age, type of toilet facility used, water treatment and water supply sources werethe likely associated risk factors in WASH communities in Ogun Central, Nigeria.