Abstract:
Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are one of the neglected tropical diseases.
They primarily affect the most vulnerable communities in tropical and subtropical countries,
where inadequate sanitation and unsafe water supplies are prevalent. The STHs disease burden
is mostly attributed to its long-term and negative effects on the health of the affected people,
rather than mortality it causes. Epidemiological studies on the burden of STHs in different
settings are essential. So far, scarcity of studies about the prevalence and associated factors of
STHs at the community level in Jigjiga town, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of STHs and associated risk factors among residents
of Jigjiga town, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 18 February to 21
March 2023. Study participants were recruited using multi-stage sampling method. Face-to-
face interviews were implemented using a semi-structured questionnaire and observational
checklist to collect socio-demographic, behavioral, and water, sanitation and hygiene factors.
A stool sample was collected from each participant and a single Kato-Katz was performed to
detect STHs. Data were entered into EpiData, and exported and analyzed using SPSS version
26.0. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 507 participants completed the study with a response rate of 90.9%. The
overall prevalence of STHs was 11.4% (95% CI = 9.0, 14.0). The most common parasite
species were A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworms, with prevalence of 47 (9.3%), 14
(2.8%), and 1 (0.2%), respectively. Single parasitic infections account for 93.1% of the total
positive cases. The parasite egg counts showed that all of the infected participants had low-
intensity infections for each of the STHs. Low wealth status (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.25, 7.75;
p=0.015), infrequent hand washing before meal (AOR=3.19; 95% CI=1.55, 6.57; p=0.002),
earthen floor (AOR=2.32; 95% CI= 1.12, 4.79; p=0.023), and no habit of treating drinking
water (AOR=5.07; 95% CI=1.89, 13.57; p=0.001) were identified as independent predictors
of STHs infections.
Conclusion: Jigjiga town had a low prevalence of STHs infections. Identified risk factors
included infrequent hand washing habits before meal, earthen floors, low wealth status, and
no habit of treating drinking water. As a result, the concerned stakeholders should work to
improve the community's livelihood and raise awareness of environmental sanitation and
personal hygiene in the studied area
