Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis prevalence and associated factors among school children in the Hawela Tula sub-city, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

This study revealed that four out of ten schoolchildren were infected with intestinal helminthiasis. Children in lower grades born to mothers with no formal education, with untrimmed fingernails and poor hygiene, not practising hand washing before meals, and consuming raw meat and unwashed vegetables were found to be more susceptible to intestinal helminthic infection. To address soil transmitted helminthiasis and Schistosomasis diseases effectively, local governments, regional health bureaus, and development partners should prioritize targeted interventions and implement innovative strategies to reduce their burden. At the community level, schools and families can play a critical role by reinforcing proper hygiene and sanitation practices among children to tackle diseases.