Precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school age children at the coastal region, Kenya.

• Main Authors: Stella Kepha (Author), Duncan Ochol (Author), Florence Wakesho (Author), Wyckliff Omondi (Author), Sammy M Njenga (Author), Kariuki Njaanake (Author), Jimmy Kihara (Author), Stephen Mwatha (Author), Chrisistosom Kanyi (Author), Joseph Otieno Oloo (Author), Paul Kibati (Author), Elodie Yard (Author), Laura J Appleby (Author), Kevin McRae-McKee (Author), Maurice R Odiere (Author), Sultani Hadley Matendechero (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<h4>Background</h4>Accurate mapping of schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil transmitted helminths (STH) is a prerequisite for effective implementation of the control and elimination interventions. A precision mapping protocol was developed and implemented in the coastal region of Kenya by applying the current World Health Organization (WHO) mapping guide at a much lower administrative level (ward).<h4>Methods</h4>A two-stage cluster survey design was undertaken, with 5 villages in each ward selected. From within each village 50 households were randomly selected, and a single child between the ages of 8 and 14 sampled following appropriate assent. The prevalence and intensity of infection of Schistosoma mansoni and STH were determined using the Kato-Katz method (single stool, duplicate slides) and urine filtration for S. haematobium.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 27,850 school age children sampled, 6.9% were infected with at least one Schistosoma species, with S. haematobium being the most common 6.1% (95% CI: 3.1-11.9), and Tana River County having highest prevalence 19.6% (95% CI: 11.6-31.3). Prevalence of any STH infection was 5.8% (95% CI: 3.7-8.9), with Lamu County having the highest prevalence at 11.9% (95% CI: 10.0-14.1). The most prevalent STH species in the region was Trichuris trichiura at 3.1% (95% CI: 2.0-4.8). According to the WHO threshold for MDA implementation, 31 wards (in 15 sub-Counties) had a prevalence of ≥10% for SCH and thus qualify for annual MDA of all age groups from 2 years old. On the other hand, using the stricter Kenya BTS MDA threshold of ≥2%, 72 wards (in 17 sub-Counties) qualified for MDA and were targeted for treatment in 2021.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The precision mapping at the ward level demonstrated the variations of schistosomiasis prevalence and endemicity by ward even within the same sub-counties. The data collected will be utilized by the Kenyan Ministry of Health to improve targeting.

Item Description

1935-2727
1935-2735
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011043