article · Scientific Reports
A comparative cross-sectional study in Eastern Ethiopia examined the burden of neglected tropical diseases across rural and urban slum environments. Overall prevalence among participants was 22.6 per cent, with 15.0 per cent in urban slums and 29.8 per cent in rural settings. The conditions identified were predominantly soil-transmitted helminths, trachoma, and scabies. Statistical analysis linked several socioeconomic and water, sanitation, and hygiene factors to infection risks. Protective factors included higher household income and specific types of drinking water sources. Increased risks were associated with children playing with soil, the presence of flies on children's faces, handwashing practices at critical times, and government employment of household heads. The findings show that neglected tropical diseases present a moderate burden driven by environmental exposures and hygiene circumstances.
Neglected tropical diseases persist in disadvantaged communities and disproportionately affect children. Mapping infection levels and hygiene-related risk factors across rural and urban slum settlements helps public health organisations identify vulnerable groups. Addressing environmental pathways, water access, and sanitation practices is essential to reduce illness, improve child wellbeing, and support broader disease elimination programmes.
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Abstract Introduction: Despite the determination to succeed in eliminating neglected tropical diseases, these have been increasing within certain endemicities, particularly in depriving region. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relative burden of neglected tropical diseases in rural and urban slum settings in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February 25 to April 30, 2024 with a multistage random sampling technique used. A survey tool with the integration of the spectrum was employed. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA 16. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors and the level for statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05 with 95 % CI. Result: The response rate was 93 % and the mean age of house heads was 31.6 (Range; 18. 63) with 5.7 average family size. The overall prevalence of NTDs among study participants was 22.6 % (95% CI; 20.2, 25.2); urban slum it was 15 % (95% CI; 12.2, 18.4) while it was 29.8 % (95% CI; 26, 33.9) in rural. Though there is no statistically significant difference, the relative prevalence of NTDs in rural to urban was two. The multivariable analysis provided that the risk factors associated with NTDs were government employment (AOR: 12.5 (1.17, 132.4)), good income (AOR: 0.13 (.03, 0.57)), Child playing with soil (AOR: 5.8 (1.52, 22.0)); child hand washing at critical times ( AOR: 11.2 (1.7, 74.9)), presence of flies in the child faces (AOR: 20.3 (4.7, 88.6)) and type of drinking water sources (AOR: 0.11 (0.02, 0.73)). Conclusion: the burden of NTDs was moderate in the study area dominated by STH, Trachoma, and scabies. Socio economic and WASH factors were found to be associated with NTDs. Collaborated efforts among stakeholders are crucial to prevent and control NTDs.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-66280-z
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