Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in primary school children of the Kotto Barombi Health Area, Cameroon.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in school pupils aged five to sixteen years. SETTING: Barombi Kotto Health Area, southwest Cameroon. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and forty seven primary school children. INTERVENTION: All children found to be infected were treated with praziquantel (biltricide). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The study would be able to provide baseline information on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis which is vital for control strategies. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium in the study areas was 53.6%, with the highest prevalence of 73.9% recorded in Barombi Kotto village. Children resident on Barombi Kotto island were more significantly infected than those on the peripheral mainland (93.3% versus 46.2%, p < 0.01). Prevalence rate and intensity of infection did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) with sex, class or age of the pupils. The mean egg count varied significantly between schools (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Barombi Kotto village was identified as the focus of urinary schistosomiasis, with the highest recorded in children dwelling on the island, the surrounding lake being the main focus of transmission. Focal snail control as an adjunct of chemotherapy and intensive health education for the local population are strongly recommended as a means of reducing the high infection rate in the area.

The pattern of soil-transmitted nematode infections in primary school children of the Kumba Health District, South-West Cameroon.

Biomedical studies accompanied by a questionnaire survey were carried out on 803 pupils of classes 3, 5 an 7 attending 17 primary schools in the Kumba Health District to determine the prevalence of soil - transmitted nematodes and infection-associated morbidity. The prevalence rate of worms in the sample population from the questionnaire survey was 42.3% which correlates closely with 44.2% recorded for abdominal pains. The biomedical studies gave a worm infection rate of 67.1%. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm had prevalence rates of 54.9%, 33.8% and 20.3% respectively. Mixed infections were recorded in 34.4 % of the sample population compared to 32.8% for single infections. Hookworm infection rate was significantly higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas (27.5 % versus 14.8%, P < 0.001). A similar trend was observed for T. trichiura (38.4% versus 30.3 %, P < 0.02). Prevalence of A. lumbricoides was similar in the urban and rural areas (56.5% versus 52.6%). Males carried heavier burdens of Ascaris and Trichuris than females. The worm burden for all 3 species decreased as children moved to higher classes and with age after the first decade of life. There was a significant correlation between the intensities of infection of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura.

Infection pattern of Schistosoma haematobium in primary school children of the Kumba Health District, South-West Cameroon.

Studies were carried out on 855 pupils of classes 3, 5 and 7 (age range 5-16 years) attending 17 primary schools in the Kumba Health District, Cameroon, to determine the infection pattern of Schistosoma haematobium in its different communities. The results reveal prevalence rates of 9.7 % for urinary schistosomiasis and 11.6 % for haemuturia. The focal area for Schistosomiasis was Barombi kotto with a prevalence rate of 75.9 %, a finding not significantly different from 78.2 % for haematuria. Low prevalence rates were recorded in the villages at the periphery of Barombi Kotto and also in the vicinity of Kumba town. Lake Barombi Kotto and "Kumba Water" were the main sources of infection in these areas. No significant differences in prevalence were observed between males and females or between children in the different classes surveyed. Age-specific evaluation revealed that peak infection was attained at

The Pattern of Soil Transmitted Nematode Infections in Primary School Children of the Kumba Health District; South-West Cameroon

Biomedical studies accompanied by a questionnaire survey were carried out on 803 pupils of classes 3; 5 an 7 attending 17 primary schools in the Kumba Health District to determine the prevalence of soil - transmitted nematodes and infection-associated morbidity. The prevalence rate of worms in the sample population from the questionnaire survey was 42.3which correlates closely with 44.2recorded for abdominal pains. The biomedical studies gave a worm infection rate of 67.1. Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris trichiura and hookworm had prevalence rates of 54.9; 33.8and 20.3respectively. Mixed infections were recorded in 34.4of the sample population compared to 32.8for single infections. Hookworm infection rate was significantly higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas (27.5versus 14.8; P 0.001). A similar trend was observed for T. trichiura (38.4versus 30.3; P 0.02). Prevalence of A. lumbricoides was similar in the urban and rural areas (56.5versus 52.6). Males carried heavier burdens of Ascaris and Trichuris than females. The worm burden for all 3 species decreased as children moved to higher classes and with age after the first decade of life. There was a significant correlation between the intensities of infection of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura

Infection Pattern of Schistoma Haematobium in Primary School Children of the Kumba Health District; South-West Cameroon

"Studies were carried out on 855 pupils of classes 3; 5 and 7 (age range 5-16 years) attending 17 primary schools in the Kumba Health District; Cameroon; to determine the infection pattern of Schistosoma haematobium in its different communities. The results reveal prevalence rates of 9.7for urinary schistosomiasis and 11.6for haemuturia. The focal area for Schistosomiasis was Barombi kotto with a prevalence rate of 75.9; a finding not significantly different from 78.2for haematuria. Low prevalence rates were recorded in the villages at the periphery of Barombi Kotto and also in the vicinity of Kumba town. Lake Barombi Kotto and ""Kumba Water"" were the main sources of infection in these areas. No significant differences in prevalence were observed between males and females or between children in the different classes surveyed. Age-specific evaluation revealed that peak infection was attained at /and 83.8respectively."