Soil contamination rate, prevalence, intensity of infection of geohelminths and associated risk factors among residents in Bazou (west Cameroon)

Abstract

Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections remain an important public health problem in the tropics. This study aimed to evaluate the soil contamination rate and prevalence of infestations of geohelminth among residents in Bazou. Methods Four hundred (400) soil samples and 182 stool specimens were collected respectively from four sites and from inhabitants aged 1 to 40 years and above in 12 households. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate risk factors of STH-infections. Soil samples were screened using sucrose centrifugal flotation method while stool specimens were analyzed using two techniques. Results Out of the 400 soil and 182 stool samples examined, 13(3.3%) and 9(4.95%) were positive respectively after analyses. Soil contamination rates were 2%, 1% and 0.3% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm eggs respectively while 4.95% of stool samples were positive to one species nematode (Ascaris lumbricoides). The soil contamination rate observed (5%) in the rainy season was significantly different (p>0.05) from the one observed (1.5%) in the dry season. Irrespectively of the season, the most frequent parasite identified was Ascaris spp. Soils around houses were more contaminated 6(12%) as compared to those collected from markets 5(10%) and roads 2(4%) while those around classrooms were not contaminated. Participants in the age group of 1–10 were more infected. Factors such as no hand washing habit and untrimmed finger nails were found to be important risk factors for STH. Conclusion These results suggest the necessity to promote measures that could help to reduce STH infections.

Prevalence and risk factors of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school children living in an agricultural area of North Sumatera, Indonesia

“…A study conducted by Tabi et al [42] also showed that open defecation is a risk factor for STH infections. Lack of hand washing was also reported as a risk factor for STH infection [43].…”

Soil contamination by zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of mammals in Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil

“…Different from other countries, for example, in Cameroon, Ascaris spp. eggs were most frequent (2%; 8/400) (Tchakounté et al, 2018).…”

“…This variation on the contamination profile may be related to the climatic influence as sand sediment may suffer greater influence, associated to wind and rain, than soil from public roads and squares (Silva et al, 2017). The influence of climatic conditions is important factors that affect the frequency of geohelminths in each region, justified by the fact that it favours the development and survival of eggs (Tchakounté et al, 2018). From an epidemiological point of view, these findings are relevant, especially considering the zoonotic aspect of those worms (Feldmeier et al, 2006).…”

Dry Taps? A Synthesis of Alternative “Wash” Methods in the Absence of Water and Sanitizers in the Prevention of Coronavirus in Low-Resource Settings

“…However, clean sources of soil can be identified by community members and stored in designated locations within the household with ease of access. 44,45 Heat or elevated temperatures have been credited as methods with a potential to inactivate viruses within minutes. This is more so in enveloped virus such as SARS-CoV-2.…”