Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in the Regions of Centre, East and West Cameroon

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.

An Epidemiological Assessment of the Infectious forms of Intestinal Helminths in School Children from Chad

“…Similarly, Agbolade (2007) in a related study in Southwestern Nigeria reported a significant infection rate from 6 to 12 years old. Our result differs from that of Tchuem Tchuenté et al (2012) in the Central, Eastern and Western Cameroon, who found parasite prevalence higher in the age group ≤ 9 years, Nkengazong et al (2010) in South West Cameroon with high infection in the class "1-5" age old, and Sumo (2012) in the Central region of Cameroon with the prevalence rate higher in the age group > 15 years.…”

“…The prevalence rate of 57.1% corroborates those already found: 57.7% in N"Djamena by Kostoingue et al (2002), 51% also in N"Djamena by Hamit et al (2008), 56 % in other tropical regions as in Gondar ( Ethiopia) by Worku et al (2009), 54.7% in the Delta state (Nigeria) by Egwunyenga et al (2005), 60% in the region of Lake Chad by Bechir et al (2011), and 60% in The rate of infection was higher in boys than in girls (Table 3). This observation has been reported by several authors such as: Kassi et al (1989) in Aboisso, Menan et al (1997) in Abidjan, Adou-Brin (2001) in Toumodi and Stephane et al (2004) in Agboville (Ivory Coast), Tchuem Tchuenté et al (2012) in the Center, East and West regions of Cameroon. However, Agbolade et al (2004) in southwestern Nigeria, OMS (2005) in Cape Verde, Hamit et al (2008) in N"Djamena (Chad) and Kassi et al (2008) in Divo (Ivory Coast), found no difference in infection between both sexes.…”

“…This proportion is lower than 76.7% recorded by Dancesco et al (2005) in Ivory Coast but higher than 10.19% as indicated by Tchuem Tchuenté et al (2012) in Cameroon. Three types of polyparasitism (by 2 to 4 species) were identified (Table 8) in contrast to Menan et al (1997) in Ivory Coast, Buchy (2003) in Madagascar and Nkengazong et al (2010) in Cameroon who reported the coexistence of 5, 8 and 3 species respectively.…”

“…Among the identified species, three are blood sucking (hookworm, T. trichiura and S. mansoni). This profile includes a risk of iron deficiency which provokes anemia that has been reported to have a negative impact on children academic performance and growth (Drake et al, 2000;Dreyfuss et al, 2000;Stephenson et al, 2000;Hall et al, 2001;WHO, 2002;Hotez et al, 2004;OMS, 2004;Tchuem Tchuenté et al, 2012). The presence in this study of transcutaneous-acquired helminthes (S. mansoni and hookworm) demonstrates a lack of environmental sanitation and an unprotected contact with the milieu.…”

“…Local conditions and logistical constraints did not allow us to implement other techniques. Nevertheless, both methods used have the advantage of being simple, rapid, and inexpensive, and are suited for low-income countries (OMS, 1983;Tchuem Tchuenté , 2012). The prevalence rate of 57.1% corroborates those already found: 57.7% in N"Djamena by Kostoingue et al (2002), 51% also in N"Djamena by Hamit et al (2008), 56 % in other tropical regions as in Gondar ( Ethiopia) by Worku et al (2009), 54.7% in the Delta state (Nigeria) by Egwunyenga et al (2005), 60% in the region of Lake Chad by Bechir et al (2011), and 60% in The rate of infection was higher in boys than in girls (Table 3).…”