TITLE:
A Cross-Sectional Study of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Children in Ghettoed, Diverse and Affluent Communities in Dschang, West Region, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Catherine Fusi-Ngwa, Eveline Besong, Josué Wabo Pone, Mpoame Mbida
KEYWORDS:
Intestinal Parasites, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Mitigation, Children, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.1 No.9,
December
17,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: There is a paucity of knowledge on the epidemiology of parasitic diseases which remain rampant in the Dschang municipality. Three communities around Dschang town—Ngui (slummy), Paidground (heterogeneous) and the Administrative Quarter-AQ (wealthy) were investigated to highlight the aetiology of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in children in order to enhance health policy intervention priorities. Methods: Between July and November 2009, 31 stools amples were collected from children aged six months to 18 years (mean 9 years) in 295 house-holds across the three communities. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, source of water supply, de-worming practice and treatment history. Stool samples were screened for ova/larvae of intestinal parasites using direct wet mount, brine floatation and formol-ether sedimentation methods. Results from stool tests and information obtained from questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS. Results: In total, 223 (26.8%) children had single (19.9%) and multiple (7%) infections from seven parasites: the overall prevalence was 34.7%; helminthes 19.3% and protozoa 15.4% (χ2 = 4.3, P Entamoeba histolytica 8.8%, Ascaris lumbricoides 7.5%, Trichuris trichiura 6.8%, Entamoeba coli (5.8%), hookworm 4.6%, Giardia lamblia 0.8% and Vampirolepis (Syn: Hymenolepis) nana 0.4%. Infections were more severe and rates significantly higher in Ngui (45.9%, χ2 = 86.83, P 2 = 111.97, P