Abstract
BackgroundThe previous nationwide mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Cameroon was conducted 25 years ago. Based on its results, mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel was limited to the three northern regions and few health districts in the southern part of Cameroon. In 2010, we started the process of updating the disease distribution in order to improve the control strategies. Three of the ten regions of Cameroon were mapped in 2010 and the data were published. In 2011, surveys were conducted in four additional regions, i.e. Littoral, North-West, South and South-West.MethodsParasitological surveys were conducted in March 2011 in selected schools in all 65 health districts of the four targeted regions, using appropriate research methodologies, i.e. Kato-Katz and urine filtration.ResultsThe results showed significant variation of schistosomiasis and STH prevalence between schools, villages, districts and regions. Schistosoma haematobium was the most prevalent schistosome species, with an overall prevalence of 3.2%, followed by S. mansoni (3%) and S. guineensis (1.2%). The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis across the four regions was 7.4% (95% CI: 6.7-8.3%). The prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.3-20.7%), Trichuris trichiura 18.9% (95% CI: 17.7-20.1%) and hookworms 7.6% (95% CI: 6.8-8.4%), with an overall STH prevalence of 32.5% (95% CI: 31.1-34.0%) across the four regions. STH was more prevalent in the South region (52.8%; 95% CI: 48.0-57.3%), followed by the South-West (46.2%; 95% CI: 43.2-49.3%), the North-West (35.9%; 95% CI: 33.1-38.7%) and the Littoral (13.0%; 95% CI: 11.3-14.9%) regions.ConclusionsIn comparison to previous data in 1985–87, 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
The previous nationwide mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Cameroon was conducted 25 years ago
The national epidemiological survey conducted in 1985–1987 showed the occurrence of three species of schistosomes: Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni and S. guineensis; and three major species of STH: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus
The present paper reports the outcome of the mapping exercises, compares the current situation with the baseline data from 1980s, and provides recommendations for the control of schistosomiasis and STH in these regions
Summary
The previous nationwide mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Cameroon was conducted 25 years ago. Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), two of the major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) targeted through preventive chemotherapy, occur throughout the developing world and remain a major public health problem in the poorest communities with enormous consequences for development. Control of these diseases continues to gain momentum with increased commitment from a number of governmental and non-governmental donors to provide the funding and from pharmaceutical companies to donate the anthelminthic drugs. School age children were the most infected, and polyparasitism was very frequent; with a largest proportion of children carrying at least 2 species of parasites [7]
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