Assessment of burden and risk factors associated with Soil-transmitted helminth infections among adolescent girls in Katete District of Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundOver 688 million girls and women of reproductive age (WRA) are at risk of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections, with 26% of girls and WRA found in Africa. Infections among girls and WRA remain a concern because of their association with anaemia among non-pregnant girls and women, maternal anaemia, foetal morbidity, and mortality. Information regarding subpopulations such as adolescent girls in the district at risk remains unknown, making it difficult to plan and implement interventions as guided in the new NTD roadmap 2021-2030. This study assessed the burden and risk factors associated with Soil-transmitted helminth infections among adolescent girls in Katete District of Zambia. MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted to gather data from 206 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19years between August and September, 2021. Multi-stage sampling was used to randomly select participants from 12 public schools. The study employed a structured questionnaire and analyzed stool samples using Kato-Katz to gather pertinent information on socio-demographic, socio-economic, behavioral, environmental health-related data, and prevalence respectively.. Additionally, logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in the district. ResultsThe prevalence of STH infections was 9.9% (19/192) and the only parasites found was Ascaris lumbricoides. The overall intensity was light infection. The factors independently associated with STH infection after adjusting for other variables were dirty fingernails (AOR: 0.2 95%CI 0.06-0.67, p=0.008) and drinking water directly from the source (AOR: 3.80 95%CI 1.19-12.15, p=0.024) ConclusionThe findings indicate that STH infections are still prevalent. Interventions employed to further reduce the prevalence should include or strengthen behavioral change that addresses factors related to personal hygiene and drinking clean and safe water.