Determinants of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Control Practices at the Household Level in Bondo Sub County in Siaya County

Abstract

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) refer to the intestinal worms infecting humans that are transmitted through contaminated soil (Cdc; 2022). STH infections are common infections worldwide and affect the poorest communities, especially pre-school and school aged children. WHO’s strategy for control of STH infections is through the periodic mass drug administration treatment with dewormers. Objective: The general objective of this study is to find out the determinants of soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) control practices at the household level. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Bondo subcounty, Siaya county in Kenya. 530 households were randomly selected and include in the study. A Questionnaire was administered to respondents at the household level and an FGD guide was also used to gather more insights on the subject. Results: The result of this study indicates that 28.3% of respondents were able to correctly identify at least one of the three types of STH. 40.3% and 78.4% of respondents were able to correctly identify transmission routes and control practices respectively. The most reported practice in the control of STH was deworming (38.1%); household factors found to be significantly associated with STH control practices were as follows, Maternal education, Mother’s Occupation, Participation in previous programme, Household income, availability of handwashing facilities. Conclusions: The knowledge and practices of STH control was found to be low despite the socio-economic status of the study area being medium. Most homesteads reported to have above minimum wage income, high literacy level, adults in gainful income generating activities, latrine in the homestead, houses of concrete finished floors and good access to water. Our findings suggest that to effectively develop an STH control program, maternal, household socio-economic and WASH factors need to be put into consideration.