Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Sth Infection amongst Psac in Elburgon Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Socio-economic factors have been associated with high prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes infection in endemic areas. STH studies have been extensively conducted among school age children but non-school going children mostly those below five years and who actively play with soil are not common. In this study, 120 households in Elburgon Municipality were accessed using a structured question to determine the impact of these socio-economic factors on STH infection among pre-school age children. Kato Katz technique was used to determine the evidence of helminthes infection in 179 children who provided stool sample. The result from this study revealed that there was a general high prevalence 154 (86%) of STH infection with any of Trichuris trichura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm or a combination of any two. The overall mother’s and father’s educational level and father’s occupation showed significant difference (p<0.05) in PSAC STH infection. Mother’s occupation and head of family revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in this children age group infection. In Elburgon Municipality, households are crowded in living conditions that can be termed as semi urban slums and children often play together in common play grounds. Regardless of both parent’s educational level and occupation STH infection in young children remained high because of common hygienically compromised environments. This study suggest that it might be difficult to improve the socio-economic status of populations living in semi-urban slum like households but frequent health education programs for both parents about these intestinal worms can be effective tool that will help in control STH infections in PSAC.

Keyword: Socio-economic, Soil Transmitted Helminthes, Pre-School Age, Kato Katz