Epidemiology of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and intensity of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in Gorgora primary school in Northwest Ethiopia from November to December 2010. Stool sample was collected from 326 children (170 male and 156 female) and examined by Kato-Katz technique for intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminth infection.ResultsA total of 120 children (56 males and 64 females) were positive for single or multiple parasitic infection. Four helminth parasite species were identified and the most prevalent was Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) (16.60%), followed by Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) (10.10%), hookworm (5.50%) and Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) (4.60%). Furthermore, 1.84%, 2.76% and 2.45% of the study participants were co-infected with Hookworm & A. lumbricoides, A. lumbricoides & S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides & T. trichiura, respectively.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis observed in the study area shows the need of integrated control programme including periodic deworming, improving sanitation and access to clean water, appropriate health education and environmental measures to have a lasting impact on transmission.