RESUMO
In May 2003, a survey was conducted in the western region of Bhutan to assess the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections after 15 years of school deworming in the country. Five schools were randomly selected in the region and 266 schoolchildren were examined. Stool samples were collected from each child as well as nutritional indicators and general information on each school. The survey found a cumulative prevalence of 16.5% STH (4.8% in schools treated in the last three months and 24% in the untreated schools). An unexpected finding was that the tapeworm infection rate of 6.7%. These results indicate a high reinfection rate in this area. WHO recommends a 50% prevalence as the threshold for the establishment of community intervention. However, in our view, Bhutan needs to continue its deworming program because the present, relatively low, prevalence level was found despite a long period of intervention; an interruption of the control activities will result in a return to very high levels of prevalence and intensity of infection.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Butão/epidemiologia , Criança , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Helmintíase/epidemiologia , Humanos , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Masculino , Prevalência , Microbiologia do SoloRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and some epidemiological features of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status in the Gampaha district. DESIGN: Community based survey. SETTING: The district of Gampaha. SUBJECTS: All individuals over six months of age who were resident in the Gampaha district for a period over one month at time of survey. RESULTS: The HBsAg positivity rate in the Gampaha district was estimated to be 2.5% (95% C.I. 2% to 3%). This places the area in the intermediate endemicity zone as classified by WHO. The epidemiology indicates horizontal intrafamilial spread being more important in the population studied, than vertical, parenteral or sexual routes of transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that immunisation in early childhood is an important measure in prevention of the infection in this district.