Abstract:

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths are a major public health concern, particularly among school-aged children in endemic regions. Accurate detection of STH is crucial for effective management and control. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of concentration techniques for STH detection, using the Kato-Katz method as the gold standard, among primary school children at Ilemela District in Mwanza Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 230 primary school children at Ilemela District in Mwanza Tanzania. Stool samples were collected and examined using both the Kato-Katz method, Formal-Ether and Flotation techniques.

Results: Formal-ether concentration technique had a sensitivity of 86.36% (95%CI: 81.93-90.79) and the specificity is 87.04% (95%CI: 82.71-91.37) while floatation technique has a sensitivity of 41.67% (95%CI: 35.31-48.03) and specificity of 97.7% (95%CI: 95.75-99.65), Formal-ether concentration technique had high PPV while Floatation technique had high NPV. Formal-ether concentration technique had high prevalence in detecting A. lumbricoides and hookworm while T. trichura was unable to be detected in both methods.

Conclusion: The Formalin-Ether Concentration method, offer significant advantages in the detection of STH, especially in resource-limited settings with low-intensity infections. Integrating these methods with the Kato-Katz technique could enhance diagnostic accuracy and contribute to more effective STH control strategies. Future research should focus on the cost-effectiveness and implementation of these techniques in routine parasitological surveys.