Frequency of intestinal nematode infections among housemaids in Kuwait as a hint for their mass treatment

ABSTRACT

One hundred housemaids consecutively admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital for complaints other than intestinal parasitoses were investigated. Infections that included at least one intestinal nematode were diagnosed in 67 of the 100 housemaids. Hookworm [50%] and Trichuris trichiura [28%] were the most prevalent parasites, while Ascaris lumbricoides [5%] and Strongyloides stercoralis [2%] were found less frequently. Arguments are provided as to why prophylactic/mass treatment of all housemaids in Kuwait seems to be justified. Such an approach is based on the benefit to the housemaids rather than on the protection of the community. As Kuwait is an arid environment with high hygienic standards, safe water supply and a modern sewage disposal system, transmission of geohelminths appears to be fairly remote