Abstract:
A study to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) was
conducted among 418 school children in 20 primary schools in five divisions
(Maranda, Madiany, Rarieda, Nyang’oma and Usigu) of Bondo district, Nyanza
Province, Kenya. In a cross-sectional survey stool samples were obtained from
children aged 5-15 years and examined for the presence of eggs of helminthes,
from September to November 2007. The stool samples were examined using the
direct method and Formol-Ether concentration. The overall prevalence of STH in
the district was found to be 18.4%. Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest
prevalence at 8.6% followed by Hookworms 5.7%, Trichuris trichuria 3.7% and
Strongyloides stercoralis 0.2% respectively. The study revealed that Maranda
division had the highest prevalence of the helminthes infections. The high
prevalence of worm infection in Maranda seems to be associated with the
division’s dependency on water pan as a source of water for domestic use.
Children belonging to the age group of 5-7 years were more infected with STHIs
than those of older age groups. It is recommends that further study be done to find
out why dependency on water pan as a source of water for domestic use is a risk
factor in Maranda.
