title: Prevalence of schistosomiasis and other intestinal helminth infections among senior primary school children in Makenene Sub-Division, Cameroon.
abstract: A study was carried out in four villages of Makenene Sub-Division some 85 km north-west of Yaounde, between November 1993 and March 1994 to assess the prevalence and intensity of schistosomes and other helminth infections among senior primary school pupils aged 9-16. An extensive questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and information on water-related activities. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 228 (23.6%) while S. haematobium infection was practically non-existent 03 (< 1%). Infection rates with intestinal nematodes were very high, up to 98% in some villages. Prevalence rates of schistosomiasis varied significantly (P < 0.05) between villages with the highest (36.2%) recorded in Makenene. Infections with other parasite species encountered were significantly different (P < 0.01) while a marked association was observed between water contact activities and the distribution of S. mansoni infections. However, S. mansoni infection intensities were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between those with a history of previous infection and treatment and those without.
authors.affiliation: Applied Parasitology Unit, University of Jos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Akufongwe
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Onwuliri
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Titanji
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Okwuosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine; D015995:Prevalence; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water