Epidemiology of soil transmitted Helminth infections in the middle-belt of Ghana, Africa

BACKGROUND: Helminths are among the most widespread infectious agents prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the developing world defined by inadequate sanitation, poverty and unsafe water sources. This study was carried out to describe the distribution of helminth and malaria parasite infections in the middle-belt of Ghana in sub-Saharan Africa where disease burden, including anaemia is rife and helminths are perceived to be significant contributors of the burden. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 1826 residents located in the middle belt of Ghana where no or very little previous community-based helminth work had been carried out. The participants randomly recruited at household level provided biological samples collected over a 12-month period following a rigorous consenting process and these were analysed to describe the different types and seasonal distribution of helminths. FINDINGS: Overall, 19.3% intestinal helminth infection prevalence was documented. Also based on parasites targeted for elimination, 12.1% Hookworm, 4.0% Hymenolepis nana/Hymenolepis dimunita, 1.5% Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.5% Taenia species, 0.9% Strongyloides stercoralis and 0.8% Trichuris trichiura, with about 1.0% polyphelminthiasis were recorded in the survey. About 55.4% and 44.4% of the participants had heavy hookworm and Trichuris infections respectively. Most of the Ascariasis (83.3%) infections were light in intensity. Hookworm infection was identified with significant odds considering decreasing age (OR = 2.09, p = 0.03), inappropriate footwear use (OR = 1.88, p = 0.021), malaria parasite co-infection (OR = 1.62, p = 0.018), not scrubbing nails during hand washing (OR = 0.68, p = 0.048), source of drinking water (OR = 2.51, p = 0.027) and religion (OR = 4.36, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Hookworm infection was significantly higher in younger age groups and among those who did not have safe drinking water. Proper sanitation, protective footwear, religion and good personal hygiene practices were found to influence helminth and hookworm prevalence in the area. Malaria parasite coinfection with helminths, especially hookworm infections increased 2-fold.