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SOIL TRANSMITTED NEMATODES IN CHILDREN IN BUEA HEALTH DISTRICT OF CAMEROON
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the prevalence, intensity of infection and control of soiltransmitted
nematodes in primary school pupils of urban, suburban and rural localities.
Setting: Buea Health District.
Design: A cross section experimental study.
Subjects: Three hundred and forty primary school children.
Intervention: Mebendazole treatment complemented with health education.
Results: The overall prevalence rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in the Buea Health
District was 59.1%. The infection rate was significantly different in the urban, suburban
and rural localities of the health district (P<0.01), with the rural area having the highest
rate of infection. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite. The intensity
of infection with the various helminth species was not significantly different between
children of urban, suburban and rural localities. Mebendazole treatment significantly
reduced the intensities of infection with Ascaris and Trichuris (P < 0.05). The treatment,
however, was ineffective against hookworm infection. Re-infection rate with Ascaris and
Trichuris was slower in children who additionally received health education than in those
who received only anthelminthic treatment.
Conclusion: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms are the predominant
nematodes reported in children of urban, suburban and rural localities in the health
district. Health education is advocated as a complement to chemotherapy in the control
of soil-transmitted nematodes.
nematodes in primary school pupils of urban, suburban and rural localities.
Setting: Buea Health District.
Design: A cross section experimental study.
Subjects: Three hundred and forty primary school children.
Intervention: Mebendazole treatment complemented with health education.
Results: The overall prevalence rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in the Buea Health
District was 59.1%. The infection rate was significantly different in the urban, suburban
and rural localities of the health district (P<0.01), with the rural area having the highest
rate of infection. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite. The intensity
of infection with the various helminth species was not significantly different between
children of urban, suburban and rural localities. Mebendazole treatment significantly
reduced the intensities of infection with Ascaris and Trichuris (P < 0.05). The treatment,
however, was ineffective against hookworm infection. Re-infection rate with Ascaris and
Trichuris was slower in children who additionally received health education than in those
who received only anthelminthic treatment.
Conclusion: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms are the predominant
nematodes reported in children of urban, suburban and rural localities in the health
district. Health education is advocated as a complement to chemotherapy in the control
of soil-transmitted nematodes.
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