Impact Of Covid-19 Outbreak On The Prevalence Of Soil Transmitted Helminths Among School Children In The Volta Region Of Ghana.

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) continue to pose a substantial health risk to humans, particularly children, all over the world, with the majority of cases occurring in underdeveloped countries. This study, carried out from March to April 2021, investigated the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on STH infections among primary school children in the Ho West and Afadjato South Districts in the Volta Region of Ghana using stool examination, microscopic techniques and administered questionnaire. The parasitological examination of 347 stool samples showed that 144 (41.5 %) were positive for STHs: hookworm (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) (21.9%), Trichuris trichiura (10.4%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (9.2%). The risk of STH infection among females was observed to be higher compared to males (OR = 3.69; 95% CI =1.48-9.20; p = 0.005) In the Ho West district, school children who used blade to cut their nails are less likely at risk to helminth infection than those who bite their nails in Ho West district (OR= 0.26; CI = 0.93- 0.70; p= 0.008 but there was no significant association between potential risk factors and STHinfections in the Afadjato South District. More parents reported anthelminthic drug administration to their children before COVID-19 outbreak compared to during COVID-19 outbreak (χ² (df) =31.04(1), p <0.0001). Eighty-one of school children in both districts (84%) were positive for Trichuris infection, there was a significant difference between parent’s response and Trichuris infection among those who administered anthelminthic drug before and during COVID-19 (p <0.0001). The high prevalence of STHs infections among primary school children calls for education on the proper hygiene habits and regular deworming exercise among residents in the study area.