Current decline in schistosome and soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children at Loum, Littoral region, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION

Soil-transmitted helminth infections (STHs) and schistosomiasis have serious consequences for the health, education and nutrition of children in developing countries. As Loum is known as a highly endemic commune for these infections, several deworming campaigns have been carried out in the past. The purpose of this study was to determine any changes that have occurred since then in the characteristics of these infections among schoolchildren in this site.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2016 on 289 schoolchildren. Stool and urine samples were collected and examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections.

RESULTS

The highest prevalence was noted for (34.2%), followed by (8.6%), (4.9%) and (4.9%) in decreasing order. A prevalence of less than 2% was noted for each of the other two helminths. The highest mean intensity was found for (39.6 eggs/10 ml of urine), followed by (24.2 eggs per gram of faeces: epg), (16.6 epg) and (12.3 epg). The prevalence of was significantly higher in boys and that of in children aged 10 years or older, while the differences between other values of prevalence or between egg burdens were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Compared with values reported in 2003, the prevalence and intensity of and STH infections in Loum has sharply decreased in 2016. Confirmation of this decrease in the years to come allowed to space deworming campaigns among schoolchildren.