Persistent Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Children Aged Between 4 and 12 in Mile 16 Bolifamba, Buea, Cameroon: 6 Months Post-Deworming Campaign

Aims: This study aims at determining the prevalence, the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) species, and associated risk factors among children aged between four and 12 in the mile 16 community, Buea, through post-deworming intervention.

Study Design: The Cross-sectional research design was used, involving a total of 465 children in the aforementioned community.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the mile 16 community, Buea, from January to May 2018.

Methodology: Socio-demographic data were collected through the use of questionnaires. Stool samples were collected and analysed using the Kato-Katz technique. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive data were calculated with frequencies (n) and proportions (%); meanwhile, Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore significant correlations between risk factors and STH infections.

Results: The overall prevalence rate of soil-transmissible infection in mile 16 Bolifamba, Buea municipality, stood at 27 (5.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7 – 7.9). The prevalence rate among children who have been previously dewormed was 18 (3.9 %, 95% CI: 2.1 – 5.6). The most prevalent soil-transmitted helminths being Ascaris lumbricoides recorded 18 (3.9% CI: 2.1 – 5.8), followed by Hookworm 9 (2%, CI: 0.7 – 3.2). Trichuris trichiura recorded 0%. Walking barefoot was significantly associated with STH (χ2= 18.37, p=0.0001), with increased odds of infection (odd ratio [OR] = 3.2; 95% CI: 2.0–5.3). Improper hand-washing was associated with STH infection (χ2= 4.36, p=0.037), with increased odds of ([OR] = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.7). No awareness on STH and deworming by guardians/parents was significantly associated with increased odds of infection ([OR] = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.7–5.5), P = 0.001. Defecating in bushes and garden showed an association with STH infection (χ2= 5.16, p=0.023), with an increase odd ([OR] = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2–7.7) and the place of defecation by children showed an association with STH infection (χ2= 13.63, p=0.03).

Conclusion: The findings of this study show that there is an increasingly active transmission of STH at mile 16 Bolifamba, despite the post-deworming campaign. Walking barefoot, improper hand-washing before eating, lack of awareness by guardians/parents on STH, deworming and defecating in bushes and garden increases the likelihood for STH infection. These results suggest among other things that, although community-based deworming programmes have many important benefits, more need to be done to improve on the effectiveness of deworming campaign processes and the combination of other control approaches like education and proper sanitation in the mile 16 Bolifamba community.