# Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school-age children, in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found a 16.2% rate of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ethiopian schoolchildren, with no clear link to undernutrition, and identified hygiene and family size as key risk factors.

## Contribution

The study provides new local data on STH prevalence and associated factors in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- The overall STH infection rate was 16.2%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common.
- 37.5% of children were undernourished, but no significant link was found between STH infection and undernutrition.
- Large family size and poor hygiene practices were significantly associated with higher STH infection risk.

## Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths pose a significant public health challenge among school-age children in developing countries, such as Ethiopia. This study determined the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths, associated factors, and nutritional status of school-age children in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2025.

A school-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 277 schoolchildren in Mekhoni town, Tigray, Ethiopia, from May 2024 to March 2025. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics of study participants, and stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and anthropometric indices were generated using the WHO AnthroPlus software to determine the nutritional status of schoolchildren. The data were analyzed using SPSS 27 software. Descriptive statistics were applied to present the data using frequency, tables, and figures. Bivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the correlation between the dependent variable and the individual independent variable, and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine the independent effect of the main explanatory variable on the outcomes of interest. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections was 16.2% (n = 45), with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most identified parasite, at 10.1% (n = 28), followed by Trichuris trichiura at 6.1% (n = 17), and hookworms, at 2.9% (n = 8). Of the infected children, 31 (18.7%) were males, and 14 (12.6%) were females. The number of infections is also higher among children within the age group of 5–10, 22 (18.4%), than among those 11–14 years old, 23 (14.65%). Factors significantly associated with increased odds of infection were having large family size (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.18-5.55, P = 0.017), unclean fingernails (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.14-6.03, P = 0.022), untrimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.006-5.03, P = 0.002), and lack of hand washing after visiting a toilet (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13-0.63, P = 0.002). The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 37.5% (n = 104), with 22.2% being underweight (n = 117), 27.8% stunted (n = 77), and 11.19% wasted (n = 31). There was no statistically significant association between STH infection and nutritional status among study subjects.

The prevalence of STH infections was less than 20% (n = 45). The most common species of STH infections identified were Ascaris lumbricoides. The study also revealed a high prevalence of undernutrition among school-age children. Ensuring access to clean toilets and hand-washing facilities in the schools, introducing a school health and nutrition program are vital.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a significant public health concern, especially in developing countries. This study examines the prevalence of STH infections and the nutritional status of school-age children in Mekhoni Town, Tigray, Ethiopia. The research found that the overall prevalence of STH infection in the study population was 16.2% (n = 45). Factors such as large family size, uncleaned fingernails, untrimmed fingernails, and handwashing practice after visiting a toilet were identified as significant contributors to the likelihood of STH infection. On the other hand, the study revealed that 37.5% (n = 104) of the children were undernourished, yet no statistical association was found between STH infection and undernutrition. These findings highlight the importance of improving hygiene practices and further exploring the relationship between STH infection and nutritional status in this region.