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Article History

Received: 10 May 2025

Accepted: 11 September 2025

First Online: 10 October 2025

Declarations

:

: This study was conducted in accordance to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Bamenda, Cameroon (Ref No: 2023/1187H/UBa/IRB) and also gained some field work mission order from the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis (NPCSIH), Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon. In addition, approvals were obtained from administrative authorities (Regional Delegations of Public Health, school inspectors, head teachers, and teachers) in the North and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Prior to recruitment of the participants, the aims, design, benefits and risks of the study were explained to the school children and their legal parents/guardians. Signed informed consent was obtained from the legal parents/guardians of all school children before their participation. In addition, oral assent was obtained from the children prior to their inclusion. Participation was voluntary and each school child was free to withdraw consent at any time, without any reason and with no penalty/charge. An identification code was assigned to each school child and all personal data collected were kept confidential and analyzed anonymously.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.