Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) endemicity and performance of preventive chemotherapy intervention programme in Nigeria (in year 2021)

Abstract

Preventive chemotherapy (PC) is an important tool to address transmission and reduce morbidities associated with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). The aim of the study is to assess the PC implementation programme coverage and relate the same to the endemicity of STH in Nigeria. The secondary data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) through the expanded special project for elimination of neglected tropical diseases (ESPEN) and made available at the ESPEN portal was used for the study. The PC implementation coverage and frequency of treatment were evaluated and related to STH endemicity levels in Nigeria. STH was actively transmitted in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The southern part of Nigeria was more endemic compared with northern Nigeria. There was no PC intervention in preschoolers and effective PC coverage (19.3%) fell below the WHO ≥ 75% PC coverage index benchmark in school children. The percentages of children that harbour low, moderate, and high STH infections were 41.5, 41.6, and 13.4%, respectively. Multiple treatments did not necessarily reduce the endemicity of STH on certain occasions. STH continues to be a public health threat in Nigeria. The current treatment strategies should be reviewed to accommodate preschoolers in PC implementation programmes. Treatment should be integrated with the WASH programme in order to achieve a lasting impact.