Assessment of the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis in Bangladesh

Abstract

Intestinal worm infestation is a global health problem. Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) infects nearly 2 billion people of world’s population with children being the most affected. STH infections rarely cause mortality with diarrhea, abdominal pain and low hemoglobin levels as the immediate outcome of infections, however, the long term effects of these infections are far more sinister as those with infections show reduced cognitive abilities, intellectual capacity and lower work productivity. Due to the subtropical monsoonal climate and being a least developed country, Bangladesh is endemic for helminthes infection especially for STH. There are a very few studies conducted on STH infection in Bangladesh. In March 2017, the Program implemented STH monitoring surveys in Nilphamari districts. Trained medical technologists conducted laboratory testing of stool samples using the Kato-Katz method. Survey teams collected hygiene, sanitation, and preventive drug treatment-related information using standardized questionnaires administered during household visits. Firstly, provide statistically valid, district-level estimates of STH prevalence and intensity of infection that are specific to, and representative of key STH at-risk age groups. Secondly, assess potential factors affecting STH infection rates including recent preventive chemotherapy coverage, sanitation coverage, and specific hygiene-related behaviors. STH control activities are more diffuse, aiming to piggy-back de-worming onto existing services such as school health activities; controlling morbidity, rather than eliminating infection, is the stated goal.