A study of human intestinal helminthiases on Kar Kar Island, Madang Province.

This paper reports the results of an epidemiological survey of intestinal helminths in a village on Kar Kar Island, Madang Province. Samples of blood and faeces were collected from 320 people from all age-groups living in 51 houses in Kaul village. Three helminth species were recorded: Ascaris lumbricoides infections were highest and heaviest in childhood, and fell to low levels in adult life, the overall infection rate being 57%. More than 70% of the adult population were infected with Necator americanus, though almost all infections were light. 21% were infected with Trichuris trichiura, and all infections with this species were light. The parasitological findings were related to the haematological results, and the social and physical environmental factors affecting these findings are discussed. It is concluded that Ascaris infection is the principal cause of the high eosinophilia in the community.