Soil transmitted helminth infections in three isolated communities in Sierra Leone

The prevalence and intensity of soil transmitted helminths (STH) in three isolated communities in Sierra Leone; Blama (near Bo); York Island Southern Province; and Magbil (Port Loko District) Northern Province was investigated in 1993. Trichuris trichuria prevalence was found to vary most both between and within sites being significantly higher amongst children 5 to 10 years-old. It was the only STH to show a variation with sex at the most heavily infected community; Magbil; where prevalence was significantly higher in males than females. There was no significant difference in overall prevalence of A. lumbricoides and hookworm between the sites. The prevalence and intensity of all three STH peaked either in the 5 to 10; or the 10 to 20 year olds at all three sites

Comparison of anthropometric data of school going children in Freetown with the United States National Center Statistics (NCHS)

The anthropometric measurements of all children between 3-10 years of age (n=1427) attending eight private primary schools in Freetown were recorded together with accurate dates of birth. This was done to compare the anthropometric measurements of well nourished children in Sierra Leone to the NCHS references. The results of weight/age; height/age and weight/height showed no statistically significant variation from the NCHS values for children of the same age and sex. The sample population adequately represented the major and some minor ethnical groups of Sierra Leonean population. It is concluded therefore that in those populations in Sierra Leone where the children do vary significantly from the NCHS; this difference in their growth potential may be explained by environmental factors rather than ethnic differences from American children

The effect of levamisole chemotherapy on geohelminthiasis among children aged 6-12 years - Freetown; Sierra Leone

The therapeutic effect of levamisole (ketrax) in 28 children aged 6-12 years old living in Freetown; Sierra Leone against ascaris lumbricoides; hookworm and trichuris trichiura infections was investigated. Levamisole effectively reduced the intensity of all three infections. Prevalence returned more rapidly to pre-treatment levels than did intensity. A lumbricoides was found to be the most sensitive to the drug followed by hookworm. Although prevalence of T. trichiura rose by day 56 in each course there was reduction in eggs per gram of stool (e.p.g.). There were no side effects reported throughout the study

Prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections from three communities in Sierra Leone

An epidemiological survey in September 1991 investigated the prevalence (per cent) and intensity (epg) of soil-transmitted helminth infections in three communities (Rowollon; Kroo Bay and Foria); Sierra Leone. Evidence was found for infections with ascaris lumbricoides; hookworm (probably necator americanus); trichuris trichiura; strongyloides stercoralis and schistosoma mansoni; using a modified kato-katz technique

Intestinal helminth infections in children under 5 years old from Moyamba District Southern Province; Sierra Leone

An epidemiological survey was carried out in May 1990 to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in children (0-5years) living in the Moyamba District; Southern Province; Sierra Leone. On the basis of nematode eggs and larvae observed during microscopic examination of stools samples obtained from 305 children; evidence for infections with the following species of helminth (per cent prevalence) was obtained : ascaris lumbricoides (28.2); necator americanus (19.3); trichuris trichiura (10.8); strongyloides fuellborni (8.9); strongyloides stercoralis (4.3) and enterobious vermicularis (0.7)

Identification of necator americanus from a community in Bo; Southern Province; Sierra Leone

Fifty clinically anaemic children aged 6-9 years old were selected in the Bo; Southern Province; Sierra Leone during April 1990. All had their stools examined for stages of intestinal helminth infections. Twenty-one were judged to be positive for hookworm on the detection of eggs in stools. After treatment with lavemisole; 48 hour stool collections were performed on 15 of the heavily infected children. Adult hookworms were isolated from the specimens of 7 individuals; and preserved in 10 per cent aqueous formalin solution. the worms were later examined microscopically and shown to possess ventral cutting plates; fused and bared spicules; and a bifid nature of the tips of the dorsal rays of the male bursa; confirming their identification as necator americanus

Intestinal helminth infections in mothers and their infants in Sierra Leone

A survey was carried out during August and September 1990 to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in mothers and their young children from an urban site (Freetown) and a rural site (Alicalia; Nothern Province) in Sierra Leone. Stool samples were examined microscopically by a modified version of the kato katz method. In the mothers the overall prevalences of the species of soil-transmitted helminth detected were ascaris lumbricoides (40.2 per cent); necator americanus (25.9 per cent) and trichuris trichiura (35.4 per cent). [abstract terminated]

Intestinal parasitic infections in children from Freetown; Sierra Leone

Three hundred and forty-three (343) children living in Freetown had their stools examined for intestinal parasitic infection. The prevalence rates found are Trichuris trichuria 80.5 per cent; Ascaris Lumbricoides 43.4 per cent; Nectar americanus 20.7 per cent; Giardia Intestinalis 4.7 per cent and Schistosoma Mansoni 1 per cent. Several of the children were found to have more than one of the main helminth infection