Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) in Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in Nkondjock Sub-division: A School Level-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Parasitic infections due to Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) represent an actual public health problem over the world and mostly in developing countries. The present study aimed at assessing the extent of geohelminths infections among school age children of Nkondjock Council in Cameroon, and to make recommendations for control. Eight publics and privates schools of four villages were sampled and grouped into Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools. A total of 417 stools were sampled from 103 children in Nursery, 118 in Primary and 196 in Secondary schools and examined in the Laboratory of Medical Analysis of the Integrated Health Centre of Ndock-Samba, following physical flotation method (Willis’s technique) and direct examination for qualitative analysis. Three species of geohelminths was identified, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus). The results showed an overall prevalence of 24.5% of infection where the highest prevalence of this infection was 28.5% in Secondary schools and the lowest was 13.6% in Nursery schools. Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were the most prevalent respectively in Nursery and Secondary schools with 6.8% and 13.6% while, Hookworm was most prevalent in Primary school with 15.3%. Data obtained suggest that STH are important public health problems hence actions is imperative against deficiencies in sanitary facilities, improper disposal of human faeces, insufficient supplies of potable water, poor personal hygiene and substandard housing.