Significant changes in gastrointestinal tract parasitic infections in children of St. Kitts over the 9-year period 1982-1991.
When 239 (1982) and 361 (1991) five- and nine-year-old children in St. Kitts were assessed for the presence of parasitic infections, there were significant reductions in the prevalence of trichuriasis from 83% to 58%, of ascariasis from 24% to 8.6% and of giardiasis from 15% to 9.4%. Anthelminthic use, which appeared to be the most important responsible intervention tool, remained roughly at the same level at 59-51%. However, the types of anthelminthics used changed over the period. Piperazine citrate, which was used by 66% in 1982, only had 35% usage in 1991. Albendazole which was not used at all in 1982 was taken by 32% of the children in 1991 and at the same time use of laevo-tetramisole increased by 20% from 14%. Suggestions are made for an island-wide mass intervention programme to manage parasitic infections.
Rawlins
S C
SC
Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Tikasingh
E S
ES
Baboolal
S
S
Hector
O
O
Hobsons
P
P
Halliday
J
J
Jones
T R
TR
D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology
D000871:Anthelmintics