Albendazole treatment efficacy and predictors of success in combating soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Abstract

The present study evaluated the efficacy of albendazole in treating soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children aged 6 to 15 years in three districts of Central Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 1020 elementary school children were screened from three schools using Kato-Katz and microscopic detection techniques. Of these, 35.2% (359/1020) of children were infected with one or more soil-transmitted helminths and were treated with 400 mg albendazole. The efficacy of the drug was assessed by measuring the percentage reduction in helminth egg counts using Kato-Katz. Albendazole was most effective against hookworm, with overall 94.1% egg reduction rates (ERRs), 3 weeks post-treatment followed by A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, with overall ERRs of 83.9% and 31%, respectively. Analysis of factors affecting albendazole treatment success revealed that the age of respondents, source of drinking water, and infection intensity at baseline were significant predictors of treatment success. School children 6-8 years old showed higher ERRs, while those using stream water for drinking purposes and with multiple parasite infections at baseline had lower probability of ERRs. These findings demonstrate the varying efficacy of albendazole across different STH infections and geographical locations, calling a more refined research to enhance treatment approaches for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. This study underscores the need for context-specific therapeutic intervention to enhance treatment success in endemic areas.