Status of School-Based Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) Resources and Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) Infections in Rural Nigeria: A Pilot Study

This pilot study was undertaken to assess the status of school-based water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. Two schools: Sir Herbert Nursery\Primary School (SHNPS) Enugwu Ukwu and St. Theresa Nursery\Primary School (STNPS) Nimo were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. The status and conditions of WASH resources were determined using the modified FMoH checklist for improved WASH intervention. Stool samples were also collected from 49 and 54 pupils in the respective schools, and screened for STH infections using direct smear and formol-ether concentration techniques. Test of statistical significance was done using Mann-Whitney, Cochran and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests in SPSS Version 25.0, at 5% significance level. Overall STH prevalence was 6.8%; 4.1% in SHNPS and 9.3% in STNPS (P > 0.05). Males and females recorded 9.3% and 4.1% prevalence respectively (P > 0.05). Age related prevalence were 2.7% and 17.9% for age groups 5-10 and 11-15 years respectively (P < 0.05). Parasite (STH) specific prevalence were 3.9%, 1.0%, and 1.9% for <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i>, <i>Trichuris trichuria</i> and Hookworm respectively (P > 0.05). SHNPS versus STNPS recorded WASH scores of 5/5 vs. 2/5 for improved water source (P > 0.05), 4/5 vs. 3/5 for sanitation condition (P > 0.05) and 2/5 vs. 2/5 for environmental condition (P > 0.05). These findings revealed: presence of STH infection, poor and unequal WASH status in the study area. Standard of WASH facilities and practices should be improved in schools, and more health education provided to enable effective control of STH infections among school-aged children.