Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Paban Kumar Ghimire World Health Organization, Country Office for Nepal Paban Kumar Ghimire 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Lila Bikram Thapa Designation : Chief, Nutrition section, Family Welfare Division, Department of Health Services. Kathmandu Nepal Lila Bikram Thapa
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Kenza Bennani WHO Nepal Kenza Bennani
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Prakash Shakya WHO Nepal Prakash Shakya
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Kapil Gyawali Chairperson School of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Kathmandu, Nepal Kapil Gyawali
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | National Prevalence Survey of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Nepal, 2025 |
| Public title | National Prevalence Survey of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Nepal, 2025 |
| Background | The WHO recommends evaluating the baseline prevalence of STH in an untreated population. If the baseline prevalence is < 20%, no preventive chemotherapy is needed. If the prevalence is between 20% to 50%, preventive chemotherapy is suggested once a year, and if the prevalence is 50% or more, treatment should be given twice a year. WHO recommends assessing the prevalence after 5-6 years of preventative chemotherapy (PC) (6). Based on the prevalence survey findings, a decision should be made regarding the continuation and frequency of preventive chemotherapy (6). Moreover, WHO 2030 global targets for STH aim to achieve and maintain the elimination of STH morbidity in preschool and school age children (21). Nepal lacks national estimates on the prevalence of STH among school-age children as an important high-risk group for STH (6), with no nationwide baseline or post-treatment evaluations. A 2016 Micronutrient Status Survey estimated STH prevalence at 11.9% among preschool-age children and 18.6% among non-pregnant women aged 15-49 (22), with light intensity. After more than a decade of preventive chemotherapy, Nepal needs to conduct an epidemiological assessment. |
| Objectives | . To assess the national and sub-national prevalence and intensity of STH infections. •To evaluate the association between socio-demographic factors, WASH conditions, and STH prevalence. |
| Study Methods | Study design and methodology: 5.1 Study Design A school-based cross-sectional design. 5.2 Selection of survey sites The study will be conducted between January and February 2025 among schoolchildren across Nepal’s seven provinces and three ecological regions (Mountain, Hill, and Terai). The average maximum temperature is 27.9°C (+0.6°C), and the average minimum temperature is 15.6°C (+0.5°C) (24). Nepal covers a total land area of 147,181 square kilometers, with an altitude range from 70 meters to 8,848 meters, and an average elevation of 3,265 meters above sea level. Approximately 70% of Nepal's land area is conducive to the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (25). This study will employ a proportionate multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. This approach involves dividing the population into distinct strata, such as provinces and ecological regions. Given the relationship between ecological zones and soil-transmitted helminths (26), ecological zones will be considered in each province when selecting schools, in proportion to the total number of school children in each ecological zone. From each stratum, random sampling will be conducted in multiple stages to select schools (clusters) and participants. Incorporating ecological zones into the sampling strategy ensures a comprehensive analysis of STH prevalence across diverse environments in Nepal. By selecting schools proportionally based on the number of students in each ecological zone, the study will accurately capture regional variation. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The results will indicate the intensity and prevalence (national and subnational) of STH. The result aid managers and policymakers in planning and executing activities to prevent STH among school-aged children. Additionally, the evidence-based plans and activities will enhance the nutritional status of children, fostering their physical and psychological development. |
| Keywords | STH, Prevalence, preventive chemotherapy |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 02-Feb-2025 |
| End Date | 31-Dec-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | World Health Organization |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Under Review |