Work

Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Among School Age Children: Impact of 3–5 Annual Rounds of Mass Drug Administration in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Granular assessment of Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) in a population with instituted treatment programs is a critical step in understanding the progress of control programs towards the 2030 elimination targets. Such scientific insight into the impact of recurrent rounds of mass treatment with Praziquantel and Albendazole/Mebendazole should facilitate improved planning and targeting of resources. Methodology: This schistosomiasis and STHs granular assessment was conducted in 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State between October and November 2023. Samples were collected from pupils in166 primary and junior secondary schools across 166 wards/communities. Urine and stool samples were collected from 7670 pupils between 5 and 14 years, comprising 3823 (49.8%) males and 3847 (50.1%) females. When aggregated at individual LGA, the highest number of participants (658 children) was recorded in Ado Ekiti LGA. Emure recorded the lowest number of participants with 320 children across 9 out of 10 wards in the LGA. The result of this granular assessment was compared to the 2008 and 2015 baseline prevalence of each LGA to assess the level of reduction in both prevalence and intensity. Results: Overall, 58 (0.76%) out of 7670 pupils were infected with Schistosomia haematobium. No Schistosoma mansoni infection was recorded in any of the 7670 analyzed samples. Two hundred and ninety-six (3.86%) of the examined samples were infected with STHs. In the 16 LGAs assessed, Ekiti West had the highest S. haematobium prevalence of 4.26%. Ise/Orun and Oye ranked 2nd and 3rd with a prevalence of 3.48% & 2.40% respectively. There were no reported infection of S. haematobium in Efon, Ekiti-East, Ekiti South-west, Ido/Osi & Moba, LGAs while a further 7 LGAs had <1% prevalence. The prevalence of STHs was highest in Ekiti-West with a prevalence of 10.45%. Gbonyin & Ise/Orun had the prevalence of 9.62% & 8.9% respectively, making them 2nd and 3rd in ranking accordingly. Emure, Ikole and Irepodun Local Governments had the lowest prevalence of 0.31%, 0.38% & 1.01% respectively. Conclusion: There was a sharp decline in the prevalence of S. haematobium & STHs in the State across the 16 LGAs as compared to the baseline prevalence obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health NTD program. Our assessment demonstrates that only 3 LGAs require continued MDA every 2/3 years based on the WHO guidelines, while 6 are now non-endemic and 7 require only surveillance. The prevalence of STHs has significantly reduced across the 16 LGAs. Comparative analysis of the computed and baseline prevalence shows that 6 LGAs are not endemic according to WHO guidelines. Two of the assessed LGAs require one round of MDA yearly and 8 LGAs need one round of MDA every two to three years.

Source: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease

DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed10040085