title: Helminth and snail survey in Harerge region of Ethiopia with special reference to schistosomiasis.
abstract: 2300 persons from 25 communities in Harerge Administrative Region were examined for intestinal helminths. The overall prevalence rates were: Schistosoma mansoni 19.4%, Ascaris lumbricoides 13.4%, Trichuris trichiura 7.9%, and Taenia species 5.8%. Other parasites found in less than 3% included: Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms. Three age groups, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years, had approximately similar prevalence (34.9-38.8%), but younger children had heavier egg loads (geometric mean egg output per gram of feces (EPG) of 347, 340 and 248, respectively). Boys had a higher prevalence of egg load than girls (42.4%, 395 EPG vs 26.5%, 277 EPG). Infection rates among Moslems were higher than Christians (45.5 vs 23.7%), but they had smaller egg output (333 vs 412 EPG). The frequency of light, moderate and heavy infections showed a normal distribution at 27, 46 and 27%. Biomphalaria pfeifferi was found to be infected with S. mansoni in Hirna (42/250), Esakly (6/80) and Genda Adem (20/200), the latter two in the Erer valley. Urine samples from 8 localities were negative for S. haematobium infection. The need for further study in several river valleys with agricultural potential is suggested.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ayele
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Birrie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000502:physiology; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology