title: Mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the regions of centre, East and West Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are widely distributed in Cameroon. Although mass drug administration (MDA) of mebendazole is implemented nationwide, treatment with praziquantel was so far limited to the three northern regions and few health districts in the southern part of Cameroon, based on previous mapping conducted 25 years ago. To update the disease distribution map and determine where treatment with praziquantel should be extended, mapping surveys were conducted in three of the seven southern regions of Cameroon, i.e. Centre, East and West.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parasitological surveys were conducted in April-May 2010 in selected schools in all 63 health districts of the three targeted regions, using appropriate research methodologies, i.e. Kato-Katz and urine filtration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed significant variation of schistosomiasis and STH prevalence between schools, villages, districts and regions. Schistosoma mansoni was the most prevalent schistosome species, with an overall prevalence of 5.53%, followed by S. haematobium (1.72%) and S. guineensis (0.14%). The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis across the three regions was 7.31% (95% CI: 6.86-7.77%). The prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides was 11.48 (95% CI: 10.93-12.04%), Trichuris trichiura 18.22% (95% CI: 17.56-18.90%) and hookworms 1.55% (95% CI: 1.35-1.78%), with an overall STH prevalence of 24.10% (95% CI: 23.36-24.85%) across the three regions. STH was more prevalent in the East region (46.57%; 95% CI: 44.41-48.75%) in comparison to the Centre (25.12; 95% CI: 24.10-26.17%) and West (10.49%; 95% CI: 9.57-11.51%) regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison to previous data, the results showed an increase of schistosomiasis transmission in several health districts, whereas there was a significant decline of STH infections. Based on the prevalence data, the continuation of annual or bi-annual MDA for STH is recommended, as well as an extension of praziquantel in identified moderate and high risk communities for schistosomiasis.
authors.affiliation: National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Louis-Albert
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tchuem Tchuenté
authors.forename: Romuald Isaka
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Kamwa Ngassam
authors.forename: Laurentine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sumo
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ngassam
authors.forename: Calvine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dongmo Noumedem
authors.forename: Deguy D'or Luogbou
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Nzu
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dankoni
authors.forename: Christian Mérimé
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kenfack
authors.forename: Nestor Feussom
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Gipwe
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akame
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarini
authors.forename: Yaobi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fru Fobuzski
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Angwafo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult