Pan African Medical Journal
Journal / Pan African Medical Journal / Vol. 33 No. 1 (2019) / Articles

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Published:

Jun 10, 2019

Keywords:

Cameroon; Loum; schistosoma haematobium; s. mansoni; schistosome; soil-transmitted helminth

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Articles

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Shanti Merveille Mekam Nkengni

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon

Aurelia Thérèse Condomat Zoumabo

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon

Naomi Paloma Sangue Soppa

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon

Naomi Paloma Sangue Soppa

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon

Adèle Besch Ngwem Sizon

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon

Philippe Vignoles

INSERM U 1094, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, 2, rue du Docteur Raymond Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France

Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté

Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology, Texaco Omnisport and Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Félicité Flore Djuikwo Teukeng

Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Banekane, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208, Bangangté, Cameroon,

Abstract

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 Schistosoma haematobium (34.2%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (8.6%), S. mansoni (4.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (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 S. haematobium (39.6
eggs/10 ml of urine), followed by A. lumbricoides (24.2 eggs per gram of faeces: epg), Strongyloides stercoralis (16.6 epg) and Schistosoma
mansoni (12.3 epg). The prevalence of T. trichiura was significantly higher in boys and that of S. haematobium 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 schistosomiases 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

Journal Identifiers

eISSN: 1937-8688