Endemicity and environmental reservoirs of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ghanaian rural communities
6 affiliations
- 1Centre for Research in Applied Biology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
- 2Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana
- 3National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
- 4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- 5Department of Biological Science, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
- 6Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain major neglected tropical diseases in low- and middle-income countries despite ongoing preventive chemotherapy programmes. This study assessed the prevalence, associated risk factors, and household environmental contamination related to schistosomiasis and STH infections among children in Banda District, Ghana. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four endemic communities in the Banda District, Ghana, from February to April 2025. Pre-school and school-aged children (2–15 years) were recruited using systematic sampling. Urine samples were examined with urine sedimentation for S. haematobium ova, and stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz for STHs and S. mansoni ova. Household soil and animal faecal samples were examined using flotation and formalin-ether concentration techniques. Risk factors were assessed through structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed; variables with p ≤ 0.25 were included in the multivariate model, with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 26.3%, and the prevalence of STH infections was 28.0%. In multivariate analysis, non-school attendance (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 2.49-8.47; p < 0.001) and children drinking from rivers/streams (AOR = 4.58; 95% CI: 1.73 – 12.10; p = 0.009) were associated with a higher odds of schistosomiasis. For STH infections, children aged 2–9 years (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.24–3.85; p = 0.007), non-school attendance (AOR = 5.91; 95% CI: 3.41–10.24; p < 0.001) and rearing of animal within house (AOR = 4.78; 95% CI: 2.32–9.86; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher odds of infection. Both soil and animal faecal samples harbored STHs with differing species distributions between matrices (soil: 7.08% positive; animal faeces: 10.67%). Conclusion: This study revealed that schistosomiasis and helminth infections are prevalent among humans, animals, and the surrounding soil within shared environments. The findings support extending MDA to the community level and implement WASH, improved livestock management and health education to reduce transmission. Author summary: Schistosomiasis and intestinal parasite infections are among the major neglected tropical diseases affecting children in communities with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. These infections, caused by parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and hookworms and schistosome parasites, remain widespread in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. They contribute to poor child health, malnutrition, impaired growth, reduced school attendance, and poor academic performance. Although preventive chemotherapy programmes, including annual mass drug administration with praziquantel and albendazole, are ongoing in Ghana, transmission continues in many endemic areas. This study investigated schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections among children living in selected endemic communities in the Banda District of Ghana. We found that 26.3% of children had schistosomiasis, while 28.0% were infected with at least one intestinal worm parasite. Children who did not attend school, practiced poor hygiene, and used contaminated river were more likely to be infected. We also detected parasite contamination in household soil (7.08%) and animal faecal samples (10.67%). This study further revealed that parasitic infections are prevalent among humans, animals, and surrounding soil within shared environments. Our findings highlight the need for improved sanitation, safe water, hygiene education, and sustained disease control.
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BibTeX
@article{akologo2026endemicity,
title = {{Endemicity and environmental reservoirs of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ghanaian rural communities}},
author = {Rita Nyaaba Akologo and Isaac Williams and Dennis Adu-Gyasi and Dodzi Kofi Amelor and Rabbi Coffie Baidoo and Asenso Gideon and Akugre Alfred Akuka and Akua Obeng Forson and Samuel Fosu Gyasi and Emmanuel Timmy Donkoh},
journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0014701},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014701},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Endemicity and environmental reservoirs of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ghanaian rural communities
AU - Rita Nyaaba Akologo
AU - Isaac Williams
AU - Dennis Adu-Gyasi
AU - Dodzi Kofi Amelor
AU - Rabbi Coffie Baidoo
AU - Asenso Gideon
AU - Akugre Alfred Akuka
AU - Akua Obeng Forson
AU - Samuel Fosu Gyasi
AU - Emmanuel Timmy Donkoh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
DO - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014701
UR - https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014701
AB - Background: Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain major neglected tropical diseases in low- and middle-income countries despite ongoing preventive chemotherapy programmes. This study assessed the prevalence, associated risk factors, and household environmental contamination related to schistosomiasis and STH infections among children in Banda District, Ghana. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four endemic communities in the Banda District, Ghana, from February to April 2025. Pre-school and school-aged children (2–15 years) were recruited using systematic sampling. Urine samples were examined with urine sedimentation for S. haematobium ova, and stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz for STHs and S. mansoni ova. Household soil and animal faecal samples were examined using flotation and formalin-ether concentration techniques. Risk factors were assessed through structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed; variables with p ≤ 0.25 were included in the multivariate model, with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 26.3%, and the prevalence of STH infections was 28.0%. In multivariate analysis, non-school attendance (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 2.49-8.47; p < 0.001) and children drinking from rivers/streams (AOR = 4.58; 95% CI: 1.73 – 12.10; p = 0.009) were associated with a higher odds of schistosomiasis. For STH infections, children aged 2–9 years (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.24–3.85; p = 0.007), non-school attendance (AOR = 5.91; 95% CI: 3.41–10.24; p < 0.001) and rearing of animal within house (AOR = 4.78; 95% CI: 2.32–9.86; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher odds of infection. Both soil and animal faecal samples harbored STHs with differing species distributions between matrices (soil: 7.08% positive; animal faeces: 10.67%). Conclusion: This study revealed that schistosomiasis and helminth infections are prevalent among humans, animals, and the surrounding soil within shared environments. The findings support extending MDA to the community level and implement WASH, improved livestock management and health education to reduce transmission. Author summary: Schistosomiasis and intestinal parasite infections are among the major neglected tropical diseases affecting children in communities with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. These infections, caused by parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and hookworms and schistosome parasites, remain widespread in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. They contribute to poor child health, malnutrition, impaired growth, reduced school attendance, and poor academic performance. Although preventive chemotherapy programmes, including annual mass drug administration with praziquantel and albendazole, are ongoing in Ghana, transmission continues in many endemic areas. This study investigated schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections among children living in selected endemic communities in the Banda District of Ghana. We found that 26.3% of children had schistosomiasis, while 28.0% were infected with at least one intestinal worm parasite. Children who did not attend school, practiced poor hygiene, and used contaminated river were more likely to be infected. We also detected parasite contamination in household soil (7.08%) and animal faecal samples (10.67%). This study further revealed that parasitic infections are prevalent among humans, animals, and surrounding soil within shared environments. Our findings highlight the need for improved sanitation, safe water, hygiene education, and sustained disease control.
SN - 1935-2735
ER -