title: Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths in remote villages in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are endemic in Solomon Islands, there are few recent reports on their prevalence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH in residents of remote communities in Solomon Islands.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional convenience-sampled survey of residents of four adjacent villages in Malaita, Solomon Islands was performed in Atoifi and Na'au in April 2011 and in Abitona and Sifilo in April 2012. All residents older than one year were invited to participate, which involved providing a single sample of faeces examined using a modified Kato-Katz technique and completing a questionnaire that asked demographic and STH-related behaviour questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall participation rate was 52.8%, with 402 participants comprising 49.8% males. Hookworm was the predominant STH with only a single case of trichuriasis found in Atoifi. The total prevalence of hookworm was 22.6% (95% confidence interval: 18.6-27.1); the prevalence of hookworm in Abitona, Na'au and Sifilo was 20.0%, 29.9% and 27.4%, respectively, whereas in Atoifi it was 2.3% (P < 0.001). Intensity was low in all villages. Although health behaviours differed significantly between Atoifi and the other three villages, the type of toilet used was the only significant association with hookworm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residents of Atoifi have a relative freedom from STH compared to the other three villages. Rather than a region-wide morbidity control approach, a "one village at a time" approach aiming to eliminate STH and dealing with each village as a separate autonomous unit empowered to manage its own challenges may be a preferred option.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Science, Pacific Adventist University, Atoifi Campus, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Humpress
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Australia .
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Na'au, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taeka
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asugeni
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Vunivesi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Asugeni
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Gounaasuu, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Igeni
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwala
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Ambitona, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: School of Health Science, Pacific Adventist University, Atoifi Campus, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Chillion Evan
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fa
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Batuna, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands (deceased).
authors.forename: Fawcett Laurence
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Kilivisi
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Wyfolonga, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esau
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Elmer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ribeyro
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liku
authors.affiliation: School of Health Science, Pacific Adventist University, Atoifi Campus, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Alwin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muse
authors.affiliation: Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Lyndel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Asugeni
authors.affiliation: Community Leader, Sifilo, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Jeptha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Talana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Applied Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia .
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shield
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia .
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: MacLaren
authors.affiliation: Hunter New England Population Health, Tamworth, Australia .
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.affiliation: Tropical Health Solutions, Townsville, Australia . ; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia .
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: Tropical Health Solutions, Townsville, Australia . ; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia .
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Speare
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008542:Melanesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012775:Shoes; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012987:Soil; D014038:Toilet Facilities; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D012987:Soil; D015766:Albendazole