Water Resource, Hygienic Practice, and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis in Some Rural Communities of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources has been advocated as necessary add-on strategy for sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) alongside annual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole to endemic communities. This study investigated the burden of STH and status of WASH resources in eight rural communities in Aiyedaade LGA, Osun State, Nigeria. Four of the communities were supported with improved water and hygiene resources (Category A), and another four supported only with improved water resources (Category B). Two hundred and sixteen (216) fresh stool samples were collected from consenting community members and screened for Ascaris lumbricoides , Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections using ether concentration method. The status and condition of WASH resources were determined using questionnaire and physical observation. An overall prevalence of 35.2% was observed for any STH infection. Species’ prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides , Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 33.8%, 22.7%, and 0.5% respectively. Intensity of STH infection was significantly higher in Category A communities than in Category B communities. The prevalence of STH in Category A communities was higher (42.0%) than that in Category B communities (30.1%). There were significant differences ( p = 0.000) in STH infections between the two categories. The status of improved water supply was not significantly different ( p = 0.3153) in the two categories. Knowledge, attitude, and practices about STH, its transmission and control were low in both categories of communities. These results imply that current implementation of WASH which tends to focus on resource distribution, equity, and coverage, is unlikely to impact on STH transmission and control. Therefore, it is necessary for WASH providers to consider STH transmission control in their planning and implementation of WASH intervention for STH endemic communities.