Abstract
BackgroundSchistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are widely distributed in Cameroon. Although mass drug administration (MDA) of mebendazole is implemented nationwide, treatment with praziquantel was so far limited to the three northern regions and few health districts in the southern part of Cameroon, based on previous mapping conducted 25 years ago. To update the disease distribution map and determine where treatment with praziquantel should be extended, mapping surveys were conducted in three of the seven southern regions of Cameroon, i.e. Centre, East and West.MethodologyParasitological surveys were conducted in April–May 2010 in selected schools in all 63 health districts of the three targeted regions, using appropriate research methodologies, i.e. Kato-Katz and urine filtration.Principal FindingsThe results showed significant variation of schistosomiasis and STH prevalence between schools, villages, districts and regions. Schistosoma mansoni was the most prevalent schistosome species, with an overall prevalence of 5.53%, followed by S. haematobium (1.72%) and S. guineensis (0.14%). The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis across the three regions was 7.31% (95% CI: 6.86–7.77%). The prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides was 11.48 (95% CI: 10.93–12.04%), Trichuris trichiura 18.22% (95% CI: 17.56–18.90%) and hookworms 1.55% (95% CI: 1.35–1.78%), with an overall STH prevalence of 24.10% (95% CI: 23.36–24.85%) across the three regions. STH was more prevalent in the East region (46.57%; 95% CI: 44.41–48.75%) in comparison to the Centre (25.12; 95% CI: 24.10–26.17%) and West (10.49%; 95% CI: 9.57–11.51%) regions.Conclusions/SignificanceIn comparison to previous data, the results showed an increase of schistosomiasis transmission in several health districts, whereas there was a significant decline of STH infections. Based on the prevalence data, the continuation of annual or bi-annual MDA for STH is recommended, as well as an extension of praziquantel in identified moderate and high risk communities for schistosomiasis.
Highlights
Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and today there exists a global momentum for the control of these diseases, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for cost-effective action, through an integrated control [1,2,3,4,5]
Conclusions/Significance: In comparison to previous data, the results showed an increase of schistosomiasis transmission in several health districts, whereas there was a significant decline of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) infections
The national control strategy of these diseases was based on historical data collected 25 years ago, which might be outdated in some situations due to several factors including control activities, improved or degraded sanitation and hygiene, socio-economic improvement and disease transmission dynamics
Summary
Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and today there exists a global momentum for the control of these diseases, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for cost-effective action, through an integrated control [1,2,3,4,5]. Interest in the integrated control of NTDs is currently at an all-time high, due in part to new funding committed by a number of governmental and non-governmental donors, high-level political commitment in the endemic countries, and the existence of donated anthelminthic drugs which can be safely co-administrated and used in a coordinated way to address these scourges [6,7,8] Four of these diseases are mainly controlled through the ‘preventive chemotherapy’ intervention, i.e. schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations [4]. To update the disease distribution map and determine where treatment with praziquantel should be extended, mapping surveys were conducted in three of the seven southern regions of Cameroon, i.e. Centre, East and West
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