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Article History

Received: 18 September 2024

Accepted: 31 October 2025

First Online: 26 November 2025

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research Ethical Review Committee (RERC) of Hawassa University (reference number: CNCS-REC019/24). Relevant authorities were given a detailed explanation of the study’s objectives, and permission to conduct the study was granted by the La’elay Maichew district health and educational authorities and the directors of the selected schools. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of the participating children before stool specimen collection. Participating children were given a detailed explanation of the study’s objectives, provided their oral consent before the specimen collection. They were informed of their right to withdraw at any time. All the collected information was kept confidential. Children diagnosed with S. mansoni infection were also referred to their nearby health facilities for treatment.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.