Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil transmitted helminths and factors associated with uptake of preventive chemotherapy among school children in Sengerema District in north-western Tanzania

Abstract

Background: The control of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) in Tanzania focuses on reducing morbidities through the treatment of infected and at risk populations, especially schoolchildren with praziquantel (PZQ) and albendazole (ALB). However, in some areas, the uptake of interventions is low. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with the uptake of preventive chemotherapy and, secondarily, the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths' infections in Sengerema District of north western Tanzania.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 625 randomly selected school children aged 8-18 years from Sengerema district. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the reported uptake of PZQ/ALB. Single stool samples were collected, processed and examined for the presence of eggs pf S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths using Kato Katz technique.

Results: The self-reported uptake of preventive chemotherapy was 95.6% (95%CI; 92.78-98.49). Provision of food (AOR= 25.25, 95%CI: 5.28-120.49, p<0.001) and information about the anti-helminthic drug prior to taking it (AOR =14.24, 95%CI: 3.23-62.72, p<0.001) were associated with a high reported uptake of preventive chemotherapy. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni and geometrical mean of eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces were 36.64% (95%CI: 21.55 -62.29) and 229.47 EPG (202.73-259.86). The prevalence of STH was 10.88% (95%CI; 7.52-15.75).

Conclusion: The high reported uptake of preventive chemotherapy was associated with provision of food and information about the drugs prior to their administration. However, S. mansoni and soil-transmitted infections are still a public health concern in the study area. Integrating health education in mass drug administration campaigns will allow provision of other complementary public preventive measures to reduce the burden of these infections.