Prevalence of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections among schoolchildren in Burkina Faso.

To determine the current status of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among schoolchildren after 10 years of mass treatment with praziquantel. Parasitological surveys were conducted in 2013 in 22 primary schools located in 11 regions of Burkina Faso. Urine filtration methods and Kato-Katz techniques for stool were used to detect the eggs of Schistosoma hæmatobium, Schistosoma mansoni, and STH. 3514 schoolchildren aged from 7 to 11 (1.415 ± 9) years participated in the study. The prevalence of S. hæmatobium was 8.1% and of S. mansoni, 1.2%. The prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis ranged from 0.6% to 26.2% and that of urinary schistosomiasis from 0.6% to 56.2%. The prevalence of hookworms was 1.1%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.1%, and Trichuris trichiura 0.06%. The arithmetic mean of S. hæmatobium and S. mansoni were respectively 6 eggs/10 mL and 1.07 epg (eggs per gram). The arithmetic means of eggs were 0.07 epg, 0.03 epg, and 1.89 epg respectively for A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and Ankylostoma spp. This study shows the current situation for schistosomiasis and STH infections in different regions of Burkina Faso. Elimination of this parasitic disease requires the inclusion of other control methods, in addition to mass treatment.

[Comparative study of schistosomiasis transmission (urinary and intestinal forms) at 10 sites in Burkina Faso (in sub-Saharan Africa)]. / Étude comparative de la transmission de la schistosomiase (formes urinaire et intestinale) dans dix sites du Burkina Faso.

Despite great progress in schistosomiasis control over the past decade in Burkina Faso, this disease remains a public health problem. This study analyzes parasitologic data from investigations of Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni, and mollusks. The prevalence rate of S. haematobium varies from 3.3% to 50.4%; that for S. mansoni (tested only in the western part of the country) from 3.3% to 39.1%. Prevalence rates are higher in school-aged boys than girls, but the reverse is true among adults. Studies of mussels showed the presence of Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus senegalensis and Bulinus globosus in these areas. Our results indicate that behavioral factors as well as the dynamics and the distribution of the intermediate mollusks play a major role in the persistence of the disease.