title: Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminths, Schistosoma mansoni, and haematocrit values among schoolchildren in Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths, risk factors and haematocrit values among primary schoolchildren.
  
  
  METHODS
  Across-sectional study was conducted in 12 primary schools in March 2011. Stool samples were randomly selected from 778 children and were microscopically examined using Kato-Katz and formal-ether concentration methods. Haematocrit values were measured using heparinized capillary tubes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 51.5% (rural = 68.3%, urban = 36.2%). Hookworm spp., Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma stercoralis were more prevalent in rural schools, whereas Hymenolepis nana was higher in urban schools (p = 0.0001). With regard to haematocrit, 34% of rural and 21.7% of urban schoolchildren had haematocrit values below the median (40.5%) (p=0.001). Hookworm spp. and S. mansoni infected children had lower haematocrit values than non-infected children (p = 0.001). Lack of footwear was positively associated with intestinal helminths infection in rural schools [OR = 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5-4.1)], and having dirty fingernails and untrimmed fingernails were positively associated with the prevalence of intestinal helminths in urban samples [OR = 1.58 (95% CI: 1.03-2.5)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and S. mansoni differs by geographical area of the schools and social determinants. Primary school de-worming and health education on proper hygiene are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. bayeabera15@gmail.com
authors.forename: Bayeh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abera
authors.forename: Genetu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alem
authors.forename: Mulat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yimer
authors.forename: Zaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Herrador
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D048189:Hymenolepis nana / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D012574:Schools; D012987:Soil; D013334:Students
chemical_list: D012987:Soil