The Prevalence and burden of malaria, soil-transmitted helminths, Schistosomiasis and their co-occurrence among school children in Ogun State

Objectives

Untreated malaria presents severe complications. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) of the trio Hookworm, Ascaris and Whipworm account for a major disease burden worldwide. While the health of school-aged children is usually compromised by common diseases such as malaria, helminthiasis and Schistosomiasis, the co-infections are accountable for increased morbidities and associated consequences like anaemia and malnutrition in vulnerable populations. The study determined the prevalence and burden of polyparasitism with these 3 diseases among school children in the study areas.

Methods

Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from a total of 1103 primary school pupils with ages ranging from 4 to 15 years. Malaria parasite was detected using thick and thin blood films and mRDT. Stool samples of intestinal helminth infection were processed using formol-ether concentrations and Kato-Katz and Mac-Master Chamber techniques. Urine samples were analyzed using sedimentation by the centrifugation method for Schistosoma haematobium, and haemoglobin was determined using a haematology analyzer to establish anaemia.

Results

The overall mean age, haemoglobin, weight and height of the students’ population was 9.97±2.637(years), 10.84±4.651(g/dl), 28.86±8.278(Kg) and 1.182(m)±1420, respectively. Age, height and weight showed no significant differences among pupils across the three senatorial zones.

Conclusion

The findings from this study showed that the co-endemicity of malaria and helminths infections is an important health problem in the study areas, among the subjects with concurrent Plasmodium falciparum, STH and Schistosoma haematobium infections resulting in increased the risk of lower haemoglobin levels and anaemia, which in turn calls for integrated disease control interventions.