Abstract
IntroductionSoil-transmitted helminth infections (STHs) and schistosomiasis have serious consequences for the health, education and nutrition of children in developing countries. As Loum is known as a highly endemic commune for these infections, several deworming campaigns have been carried out in the past. The purpose of this study was to determine any changes that have occurred since then in the characteristics of these infections among schoolchildren in this site.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2016 on 289 schoolchildren. Stool and urine samples were collected and examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections.ResultsThe highest prevalence was noted for Schistosoma haematobium (34.2%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (8.6%), S. mansoni (4.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (4.9%) in decreasing order. A prevalence of less than 2% was noted for each of the other two helminths. The highest mean intensity was found for S. haematobium (39.6 eggs/10 ml of urine), followed by A. lumbricoides (24.2 eggs per gram of faeces: epg), Strongyloides stercoralis (16.6 epg) and Schistosoma mansoni (12.3 epg). The prevalence of T. trichiura was significantly higher in boys and that of S. haematobium in children aged 10 years or older, while the differences between other values of prevalence or between egg burdens were not significant.ConclusionCompared with values reported in 2003, the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiases and STH infections in Loum has sharply decreased in 2016. Confirmation of this decrease in the years to come allowed to space deworming campaigns among schoolchildren.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are among the most common infections in humans living in tropical and subtropical countries and where sanitation is rare
Schistosoma haematobium was the single parasite found in the urine samples
Egg abundance in 2003 was 54 eggs/10 mL of urine for S. haematobium, 3636 epg for A. lumbricoides and 619 epg for T. trichiura [14], whereas it was 39.6 eggs/10 mL of urine, 24.2 epg, and 10.0 epg, respectively (Table 3). These data demonstrate that the prevalence and intensity of these three helminth infections have significantly decreased over the past fourteen years and this is probably a consequence of annual deworming campaigns performed at Loum during this period to control schistosomiasis and STH infections
Summary
Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are among the most common infections in humans living in tropical and subtropical countries and where sanitation is rare They remain public health problems in the poorest developing world and are mostly found in rural areas of low- and middle-income areas [1]. Among STH infections, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms are of particular importance to public health as they have a negative impact on the health, education, nutrition and economic development of populations. These infections affect the poorest and most deprived communities, and are transmitted by eggs and larvae in human faeces, which contaminate the soil in areas of poor sanitation [2, 3]. Control of schistosomiasis and STH infections is focused on disease reduction through large-scale mass drug administration (MDA) programs implemented periodically and on prevention of people through education for the population health, drinking water, adequate sanitation and personal hygiene [7, 8]
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