Effects of Geohelminthiases on Academic Performance in Primary School Children in Nairobi County, Kenya

Benedict M. Mwenji, Edward G. Karuri and Michael M. Gicheru
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Benedict M. Mwenji: Department of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Edward G. Karuri: Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, University of Nairobi, Box 29053- 00625, Nairobi, Kenya.
Michael M. Gicheru: Department of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 11, 276-284

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of geohelminths on academic performance of school children living in slums of Nairobi County, Kenya. A longitudinal study was carried out in children aged 6-18 years in classes 2-7 from schools within 2 slums in Nairobi County. Household socio-economic status questionnaires were administered to cater for potential confounders. Stools were collected and analyzed by modified Ridley and Kato-Katz Thick Stool Smear techniques. Infection intensity was defined by World Health Organization criteria and 3 terms pre- and 2 terms post-treatment academic records were collected for analysis; data were coded and entered in the Microsoft Excel. Data was analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software, Version 9.4 M8 (2023) for descriptive statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA); t-test was used to detect significant differences in pre-treatment, post-treatment academic performance. Pearsons Product Moment Correlation analysis was used to show associations between intensity of geohelminthiases and academic performance. The highest prevalence occurred with Ascaris lumbricoides (37.4%) and Trichuris trichiura (33.2%). Highest number of light and moderate infections (16.5%) and (10.4%), respectively, occurred in 11-14 years age-group, pre-treatment. No Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were seen in stools. There was significant difference in infection intensities with T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides between males and females, p

Date: 2025
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