Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths in school-aged children, Colombia, 2012-2013.

Background This study aims to establish the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) intestinal infections, nutritional status, and anemia in school children aged 7 to 10 years old in the biogeographic provinces of Colombia in 2012-2013. STH prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years and it is needed in order to establish policies its control in the country. Methodology National Survey of STH in school-aged children with a multistage stratified probability sampling was conducted. The overall prevalence and intensity of STH infection, as well as for each parasite, (A.lumbricoides,T.trichiuraand hookworms) were calculated for the country and for each of the nine biogeographic provinces. Principal findings Stool samples were collected from 6045 children in eight out of nine biogeographic provinces. The combined prevalence of STH in the country was 29.6%.T.trichiurawas the most prevalent helminth (18.4%), followed byA.lumbricoides(11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). ForA.lumbricoidesand hookworms, the highest prevalence values were found in theAmazoniaprovince (58.0% and 35.7%, respectively). Regarding STH intensity, most cases showed moderate intensity (41.3%) forA.lumbricoides, and light intensity, forT.trichiuraand hookworms. The national prevalence of anemia in school-aged children was 14.2%, lowest in theNor-Andinaprovince (3.5%), and highest in theTerritorios Insulares oceanicos del Caribeprovince (45.1%). Significance Colombia has a moderate risk of STH infection in school-aged populations, with considerable variation in the prevalence values among the biogeographic provinces. Like any public health issue, this problem should be handled with a comprehensive approach that involves deworming programs and strategies for STH control according to the specific epidemiological and socioeconomic conditions and sanitation service coverage in each biogeographic province. The program should be further supported by intersectoral action to improve living conditions, particularly the excreta disposal, promoted at municipality levels. Author summary STH infection (infection byA.lumbricoides,T.trichiura, and hookworms) are endemic in Colombia; however, its prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years. This study determines the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, nutritional status, and anemia in children, using multistage stratified probability sampling. The prevalence result of all STH at national level was 29.6%.T.trichiurawas the most prevalent (18.4%), followed byA.lumbricoides(11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). Comparing the biogeographic provinces (eco-epidemiological zones),Amazoniahad the highest STH prevalence. A large spatial variation was found in STH prevalence by province. The study shows that STH infection remains a national public health problem, which requires intervention through nationwide strategies using a comprehensive inter-programmatic approach and prioritizing high-risk areas. These strategies should aim at improving the living conditions associated with the infection while being supported by large-scale anthelmintic chemotherapy.