Kim, Sung Hye, Stothard, J Russell, Rinamalo, Milika, Rainima-Qaniuci, Meleresita, Talemaitoga, Nemani, Kama, Mike, Rafai, Eric, Jang, Seoyun, Kim, Ji Young, Oh, Yoo Min et al (show 6 more authors)
(2020)
A first nation-wide assessment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Fijian primary schools, and factors associated with the infection, using a lymphatic filariasis transmission assessment survey as surveillance platform.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, 14 (9).
e0008511-.
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2020. Kim et al. Fiji LF STH.pdf - Published version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is endemic in Fiji but its prevalence is not known and likely to have changed after a decade of mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis (LF). By linking with LF transmission assessment surveys (LF-TAS), we undertook the first nation-wide assessment of STH in Fijian primary schools, as well as an analysis of factors associated with STH infections.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>A cross-sectional assessment for STH was conducted in all four Divisions of Fiji from 2014 to 2015. In the Western, Central, and Northern Divisions, schools were sub-sampled after LF-TAS, while, in the Eastern Division, schools were selected via simple random sampling. For the diagnosis of STH, stool samples were examined by coproscopy with a single Kato-Katz thick smear (KK) and the formol-ether-acetate concentration technique, except for the samples from the Eastern Division where only KK was used. Mean prevalence of any STH among class 1-2 students at the national level was 10.5% (95% CI: 6.9-15.5). Across the three Divisions via LF-TAS, the prevalence levels for ascariasis were 8.7% (95% CI: 4.3-16.6), hookworm 3.9% (95% CI: 2.3-6.6) and trichuriasis 0%. In the Eastern Division, ascariasis prevalence was 13.3% (95% CI: 6.4-25.6), and hookworm 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2-2.5), with one case of trichuriasis. Among class 3-8 students, ascariasis prevalence was lower. Lower risk of any STH was associated with wearing shoes (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.90) and having piped water from the Fiji Water Authority at home (adjusted OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.92).<h4>Conclusions</h4>After a decade of community-based LF-MDA, STH in school-age children in Fiji is now close to 10%, but localities of endemicity remain. Preventive chemotherapy should be maintained in areas with elevated STH prevalence alongside targeted delivery of integrated WASH interventions. LF-TAS has provided an opportunity to develop future public health surveillance platforms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Animals, Humans, Trichuris, Ascaris, Ancylostomatoidea, Helminthiasis, Trichuriasis, Ascariasis, Elephantiasis, Filarial, Hookworm Infections, Parasite Egg Count, Prevalence, Cross-Sectional Studies, Water Supply, Students, Shoes, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Fiji, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Jun 2022 08:14 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jan 2023 21:00 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008511 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3156275 |
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