Abstract
Hymenolepis nana is an emergent parasitosis, and the role of schools in infection transmission is unclear. Data from a cross-sectional study evaluating children for H. nana infection in schools in three districts of Anta province in Peru were analyzed. Geospatial information from the children's residence and school was obtained. A total of 2,961 children were included from 51 different schools. The median age was 9.6 years old (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.8-12.4), 1,479 (50%) were female, and the median H. nana prevalence per school was 15% (IQR: 3.61-24.20). Regression analysis demonstrated that those living in Ancahuasi and Zurite and those with higher poverty score and higher residence altitude were more likely to reside on a hot spot than a cold spot based on residence distribution, whereas being of school age was protective. Children living in low-risk areas (nonhot spots) who were attending schools with higher prevalence of H. nana (≥15%) were less likely to reside in Ancahuasi or Zurite than in Anta, had lower paternal education, and were older than 6 years of age. Our study shows that schools have a role in infection transmission among children in the highlands of Peru.