Infection intensities of the 85 participants stratified by study community at all study time points.

Infection intensities of the 85 participants stratified by study community at all study time points.</p

Fig 2 -

Impact of albendazole (ALB) treatment interventions on (A) the prevalences of hookworms and other Helminthes in the study cohort; and (B-C) on community-stratified hookworm infection intensities over the study period. Two ALB treatment interventions were administered to recruited school children at baseline (after parasitological screening) and in the 6th month (after parameters of interest had been collected and assessed). No A. lumbricoides was observed throughout the study. Vertical, red-dashed lines demarcate treatment intervention time points.</p

Association of risk factor-treatment interactions over time with hookworm infection status.

Association of risk factor-treatment interactions over time with hookworm infection status.</p

Demographic information on study participants.

The impact of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) (initiated in 2000 in Ghana and ran for 12 years) in mitigating soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in LF-endemic areas is unknown. During a 1-year hiatus which ensued between 2011 and 2012, a longitudinal study was conducted to determine GPELF effect on hookworm infections in selected communities involved in the programme since its inception, while measuring the effectiveness of biannual ALB treatments on schoolchildren living in such communities. A total of 399 school children aged 3 to 18 years were randomly selected from four communities in the Kpandai district of northern Ghana. Each presented a single stool sample at baseline, 21 days post-treatment, at the 3rd and 6th months, 21 days post-second intervention (i.e. following sample collection and treatment with ALB in the 6th month), and in the ninth month of the study period. Haemoglobin (hb) levels were also measured at all time points using finger prick blood samples and a URIT digital test kit. Each participant submitting a sample, was treated with a single-dose ALB (400mg) at baseline and in the sixth month. Stool samples were processed by preparing duplicate Kato-Katz slides per sample, and examined by microscopy. The Body Mass Index-for-age z-scores (BAZ) of participants were assessed following the determination of BMIs at each time point by measuring their height and weight with a stadiometer and weighing scale. Overall hookworm prevalences were 25.68% (95% CI = 20.51–31.75) at baseline, 11.18% (95% CI = 7.87–15.41) 21 days post-treatment, 11.78% (95% CI = 8.38–16.11) and 6.95% (95% CI = 4.41–10.43) in the 3rd and 6th months, 0.91% (95% CI = 0.19–2.65) 21 days post-second intervention, and 8.46% (95% CI = 5.62–12.23) in the ninth month. Observed overall faecal egg count reduction rates (ERRs) were 94.21% (95% CI = 81.50%– 100.00%) 21 days after baseline treatment, 97.70% (95% CI = 85.08–100.00) and 96.95% (95% CI = 84.18%– 100.00%) in the 3rd and 6th months, 99.98% (95% CI = 86.42%– 100.00%) 21 days post-second intervention, and 17.18% (95% CI = 14.07%– 20.67%) in the 9th month. Respective cure rates (CRs) were 62.35% (95% CI = 46.71–81.56%), 85.88% (95% CI = 67.32–100.00%), 87.06% (95% CI = 68.36%– 100.00%), 98.82% (95% CI = 78.83%– 100.00%), and 36.36% (95% CI = 9.91%– 93.11%). Additionally, increases in the percent frequency of ‘normal hb’ (p </div

Demographics of study cohort by study communities.

Demographics of study cohort by study communities.</p

Associations between anaemia status and potential risk factors.

Associations between anaemia status and potential risk factors.</p

A map of the Kpandai district indicating the locations of the study communities.

Map was developed by Elias K. Asuming-Brempong using the QGIS Girona version 3.0.3 (Boston, MA., USA). Shape files of the regions of Ghana were obtained online (URL: https://github.com/tierney/gis-sandbox/tree/master/data/GIS-Ghana/ghana.shapefiles). Also, GPS data were obtained from the field, using appropriate devices, and exported to Microsoft Office Excel version 2013, where conversions were made. The document was then exported to the QGIS Girona version 3.0.3 software as a delimited text file. (PDF)</p

Study flow chart detailing the number of participants recruited, as well as the number assessed at each stage of the study.

Also shown is the number of participants lost to follow-up at various stages; as well as the study parameters collected at each time point. FU = Follow Up.</p

Albendazole treatment histories for the study communities.

Albendazole treatment histories for the study communities.</p

Association of risk factor-treatment interactions over time with anaemia status.

Association of risk factor-treatment interactions over time with anaemia status.</p