Direct Microscopy of Stool Samples for Determining the Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections among Primary School Children in Kaduwela MOH Area of Sri Lanka following Floods in 2016

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional school based study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of soil-transmitted intestinal helminths and the associated factors among school children in Kaduwela Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area in the Colombo district, which was affected by floods in 2016. The study was conducted in 9 selected schools in Kaduwela MOH area from September 2016 to March 2017. Permission was obtained from the relevant authorities. Grade 1 students were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed written consent from their parents/guardian. Interviewer based questionnaire was administered to gather demographic data and other relevant information. Stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet saline smear. Study population comprised 53.4% male students. None of stool samples were positive for soil-transmitted helminths but 17.4% of students complained of nocturnal itching and parents of 23% of them had seen worms passing out from their children's anus at night. Fourteen stool samples were found to be positive for cyst of Entamoeba coli. Majority of parents (69%) stated that their children always wash their hands with soap and water before meals, whereas 26% stated that their children practice this sometimes. Majority of students (88%) washed their hands after going to the toilet. Almost all students (86%) used water sealed toilets and very few used pit latrines (14%). In this study, 67% of students had received anti-helminthic drugs after the floods. These findings suggest that zero prevalence of helminthic infections could be due to anti-helminthic prophylaxis and good health practices. Further studies should be done in this area with a large sample size to investigate the true prevalence of helminthic infections. Students and parents should be educated on Enterobius vermicularis infection. The source of water supply should be tested for fecal contamination.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among Village Health Volunteers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Being advised to check stool samples to diagnose parasitic infections may be related to accurate knowledge overall, which should result in further improvements in practice. In line with the findings presented here, a survey in Sri Lanka found that individuals who had been advised on how to prevent STH infections demonstrated improved health practices [30]. VHVs with good knowledge were more likely to have good practices.…”

The soil-transmitted helminths in Sri Lanka: a review of the recent literature

“…In 2016, a survey of children attending 9 schools in the Kaduwela area which had been severely affected by floods, found that none of the 156 faecal samples examined by normal saline smears were positive for STH eggs. 15 A detailed study conducted in the estate sector, which remains a high-risk community for STH infections in Sri Lanka, has examined in depth, factors that affect the prevalence of STH infections, to facilitate greater effectiveness in control activities. Different aspects of this study have been presented in sequential papers.…”