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Factors Associated with Elimination of Soil Transmitted Helminths in the Maldives.

Raheema Abdul-Raheem*, Fazeela Waheed, Aishath Majidha Hassan, Sana Saleem, Shushil Dev-Pant, Thimna Latheef, Hawwa Afra, Rifaath Hassan, Fathimath Thohira, Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, Antonio Montresor

The aim of the study was to find out the effectiveness of the school-based deworming program by determining the prevalence and intensity of STH in children aged 2-14 years by identifying factors associated with Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections. A cross-sectional survey consisting of 1432 participants was carried out. The study adopted a clinical component (examination of stool samples) along with administration of a questionnaire to the selected sample to determine the prevalence and intensity of the worm infestation in the population. The laboratory results show that the presence of STHs was not observed in most of the samples tested. Trichuris Trichiura was found in one stool sample from the one of the northern islands (Nolhivaram). Pin worms were found in three samples from one of the Southern islands (Isdhoo). The deworming program is effective in eliminating STHs in most of the parts of the Maldives. The current frequency of administration of deworming tablet in the school health programs needs to be revised to treat children with deworming tablets once a year according to WHO guideline.