Prevalence and Intensity of Intestinal Helminth Parasites and Their Response to Treatment with Albendazole in a Rural Community in Sierra Leone

Helminth infections can be an important public health problem in most developing countries. Stool samples from 514 participants in Gbondapi village were examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz method. The efficacy of a single dose of 200mg and 400mg albendazole in adults and subjects below and above 2 years respectively was also assessed. Seventy-nine (15.4) of the 514 subjects were infected with at least one intestinal helminth. Data collected was analysed using Epi info statistical package. The most prevalent intestinal helminth was Hookworm (7.6) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (5.3) and Strongyloides stercoralis (3.9). The least prevalent helminth was Schistosoma mansoni (1.6). The worm burden was generally light with mean egg counts ranging between 83 - 927eggs/gram of stool. Albendazole had an excellent safety record and found to be highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides. In order to break the cycle of infection and re-infection in rural communities; programs embracing health education; mass treatment with albendazole; improved sanitation and the provision of protected water sources must be implemented

Taux de couverture et satisfaction des populations apres traitement de masse au praziquantel et a l'albendazole au Mali

Au Mali; les schistosomes demeurent toujours un probleme majeur de sante. En 2005; des campagnes de traitement de masse au praziquantel et a l'albendazole ont ete organisees dans toutes les regions endemiques du pays. La presente etude avait pour but d'evaluer les taux de couverture et de satisfaction de ces campagnes de traitement dans deux regions d'endemie (Segou et Mopti). Nous avons procede a une etude transversale a un seul passage qui s'etalait de fevrier a mars 2006. L'enquete a porte sur les responsables politiques (n=142); administratifs (n=70) et sanitaires (n=36); les distributeurs communautaires (n=33); les eleves (n=2480) et les membres de la communaute (n=2170). Nous avons utilise la technique de controle de la qualite des lots (LQAS) pour determiner la couverture de traitement et de satisfaction. Deux types de lots ont ete considere; les villages et les ecoles. La technique d'entretien par questionnaires a permis de mesurer le taux de satisfaction. Dans la region de Segou; les taux de couverture variaient de 100en milieu scolaire et dans la communaute (cercle de Bla) a 97;2a Segou-ville. Dans la region de Mopti; des taux de couverture therapeutique de 100etaient observes a Bankass et a Douentza a la fois en milieu scolaire et dans la communaute. La proportion d'individus satisfaits (se sentir bien) apres traitement etait de 72;3et 76;6respectivement parmi les eleves et dans la communaute. Les resultats de cette etude montrent les taux de couverture eleves au cours de ces campagnes de traitement pourraient etre soutenus par une strategie de traitement annuelle precedee par des programmes d'education pour la sante

Rapid assessment of community knowledge; perception and practices in relation to filariasis in katakwi and Lira Districts

Lymphatic filariasis is one of the most debilitating and stigmatizing tropical diseases and yet the most neglected and least catered for. However; of recent; the World Health Organisation (WHO) has obtained cooperation from leading drug-manufacturing companies to provide drugs to infected communities free of charge for purposes of mass treatment. The WHO strategy for elimination of this disease has two components; one of which involves mass treatment of the entire population at risk using once-yearly administration of single doses of two drugs given together. These are albendazole and diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin. Uganda is one of the beneficiary countries; and the treatment is intended to be carried out in the districts of katakwi and Lira. It would take 4-6 years of treatment to eradicate the disease