02499nas a2200337   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653003100054653001900085653001800104653002400122653001700146653001000163100002400173700002000197700002300217700001600240700002500256700001500281700001800296700002100314700002300335700002200358700002100380245015900401856006800560300000900628490000700637520150300644022001402147       2024                            d  bMDPI AG10aSoil-transmitted helminths10aonchocerciasis10aCo-endemicity10aparasite prevalence10aRisk Factors10aGabon1 aMoutongo Mouandza R1 aMourou Mbina JR1 aMoutombi Ditombi B1 aMihindou JC1 aMoussavou Mabicka DA1 aMayandza C1 aMbondoukwe NP1 aPongui Ngondza B1 aNdong Akomezoghe L1 aMawili Mboumba DP1 aBouyou Akotet MK00aPrevalence and Sociodemographic Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Rural Communities Living in Endemic Foci of Onchocerciasis in Southern Gabon  uhttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/11/967/pdf?version=1730872296  a1-160 v133 a<p>This prospective survey determined the prevalence and intensity of infections due to geohelminths and the associated risk factors in five onchocerciasis-endemic communities in Gabon between January and February 2020. Onchocerciasis endemicity was confirmed by Ov16 IgG testing. STHs were detected using the Kato–Katz techniques. Prevalence and parasite density were analyzed according to age, sex, and onchocerciasis endemicity. STHs were found in 64.8% of participants and were more common in hypoendemic (80.9%) and hyperendemic (63.9%) onchocerciasis communities (p &lt; 0.01). Ascaris lumbricoides (65.5%), Trichuris trichiura (57.1%), and hookworms (17.3%) were prevalent in areas hypoendemic for onchocerciasis (p = 0.04). Male participants were more often infected by hookworms. Adults were more frequently infected by STHs (75.9%) than elders, who were the least infected (39.3%) (p &lt; 0.01). Participants living in sporadic onchocerciasis areas frequently but not significantly harbored a moderate ascariasis load (6960.0 (1068.0–9492.0) eggs per gram) (p = 0.4). The highest parasite density was observed among participants aged 20–45 years (15,336.0 (3888.0–35,028.0)). A low T. trichiuria prevalence was found in all communities. STHs are highly prevalent in hypoendemic and hyperendemic areas and adults. An integrated combined approach of STH and onchocerciasis elimination through efficacious mass drug administration targeting all age groups should be considered.</p>
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