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School enrolment in Zanzibar linked to children’s age and helminth infections
Author(s) -
Montresor Antonio,
Ramsan Mahdi,
Chwaya Hababu M.,
Ameir Haji,
Foum Ali,
Albonico Marco,
Gyorkos Theresa W.,
Savioli Lorenzo
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2001.00686.x
Subject(s) - tanzania , medicine , outreach , developing country , population , demography , limiting , age appropriate , pediatrics , helminth infections , environmental health , helminths , immunology , geography , psychology , mechanical engineering , developmental psychology , engineering , environmental planning , sociology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
School health programmes have been identified as a cost‐effective strategy to reduce morbidity due to soil‐transmitted helminths in the school‐age population, but the low rate of school enrolment in developing countries is a major factor limiting their success. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to identify reasons for non‐enrolment and to evaluate differences in the occurrence of helminth infection between enrolled and non‐enrolled children in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. METHOD A questionnaire was submitted to 520 households to obtain information about enrolment and other socio‐economic indicators. In addition, one school‐age child was randomly selected in each household and investigated for soil‐transmitted helminth infection. RESULTS Overall, 71% of school‐age children were enrolled. Enrolment increased with age. Only 41% of children under 9 years of age were enrolled compared to 91% in children older than 12 years. Enrolment is delayed because of an insufficient number of schools. Among non‐enrolled school‐age children, the proportion of heavy intensity infections was twice that of enrolled school‐age children. CONCLUSIONS Most of the non‐enrolled school‐age children live together with enrolled siblings in the same household, thereby representing an important opportunity for effective outreach activities. The effectiveness of the school‐based helminth control programme in reducing the intensity of infection was confirmed. The significant gains achieved by enrolled school‐age children in this study must be viewed as an attainable goal for the important numbers of non‐enrolled school‐age children in endemic areas. Decision‐makers must ensure that outreach activities are included in helminth control programmes targeted to school‐age children.