title: Parasitic infections in young Jamaicans in different ecological zones of the island.
abstract: Data are presented for the first country wide prospective study on gastrointestinal tract parasitic infections done in Jamaica. Samples from 2,947 young Jamaicans drawn from all ecological zones and from all parochial divisions of the island were analyzed. Pica was practised by 8.6%. Generally, prevalence of organisms was as follows: Trichuris trichiura (12.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (9.5%), hookworm (2.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.3%), Giardia lamblia (6.3%) and Entamoeba coli (7.7%). Several other spp. of protozoans were recorded. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and Necator americanus was significantly greater in upland than in lowland (both urban and rural), while the situation was reversed for G. lamblia-infections. Greatest variations were age-related. A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura reached peak prevalence of 15.3 and 20.5% respectively in 5-9-year-olds, while hookworm peaked later at 15-19 years of age. Suggestions are made for a national and even regional antihelminthic program for the mass treatment of pre- and primary school age children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Rawlins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004463:Ecology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health