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5- OA AJID Dr Onah 164 RTG.pdf
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Author commitment form- ONAH STH.docx
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Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among School-Aged Children in Jos North and Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health concern among children in low-resource settings. We aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of STH infections among school-aged children in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas, Plateau State, Nigeria.</p>
<p><strong>Methods: This </strong>cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and November 2024 among 1,200 pupils selected following the WHO guidelines. Stool samples were examined using the formal-ether concentration technique, and structured questionnaires were used to assess potential risk factors. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression at a 95% confidence level.</p>
<p><strong>Results</strong>: The overall prevalence of STH infection was 2.5%. <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> (1.7%) was the most prevalent species, followed by hookworm (0.8%). No statistically significant associations were observed between infection and sex or age (<em>P</em> > 0.05), although children aged 9–12 years had the highest prevalence (2.9%). Multivariate analysis identified access to well water as a significant protective factor against infection (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.56, <em>P</em> = 0.01).</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite the relatively low prevalence, ongoing transmission risks remain. Strengthening WASH interventions alongside targeted school-based health education is essential to sustain progress toward the WHO 2030 STH control targets.</p>
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Emmanuel Isegbe Oanh, Umar Abdulahi Yahaya, Dibal Madi Deborah , Vantsawa Philip Anthony, Karderam Bukar Dikwa
2026
Soil-transmitted helminths
prevalence
risk factors
Ascaris lumbricoides
hookworm
school-aged children
Nigeria
Emmanuel Isegbe
Oanh
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
NG
emmanuelonah@nda.edu.ng
Umar Abdulahi
Yahaya
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
NG
emmanuelonah@nda.edu.ng
Dibal Madi
Deborah
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
NG
emmanuelonah@nda.edu.ng
Vantsawa Philip
Anthony
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
NG
emmanuelonah@nda.edu.ng
Karderam Bukar
Dikwa
Department of Biological Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
NG
kbdikwa@nda.edu.ng
198
PDF
0
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Fourth Volume, second issue, July 2026
171-182