title: Mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the regions of Littoral, North-West, South and South-West Cameroon and recommendations for treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The previous nationwide mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Cameroon was conducted 25 years ago. Based on its results, mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel was limited to the three northern regions and few health districts in the southern part of Cameroon. In 2010, we started the process of updating the disease distribution in order to improve the control strategies. Three of the ten regions of Cameroon were mapped in 2010 and the data were published. In 2011, surveys were conducted in four additional regions, i.e. Littoral, North-West, South and South-West.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parasitological surveys were conducted in March 2011 in selected schools in all 65 health districts of the four 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 haematobium was the most prevalent schistosome species, with an overall prevalence of 3.2%, followed by S. mansoni (3%) and S. guineensis (1.2%). The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis across the four regions was 7.4% (95% CI: 6.7-8.3%). The prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.3-20.7%), Trichuris trichiura 18.9% (95% CI: 17.7-20.1%) and hookworms 7.6% (95% CI: 6.8-8.4%), with an overall STH prevalence of 32.5% (95% CI: 31.1-34.0%) across the four regions. STH was more prevalent in the South region (52.8%; 95% CI: 48.0-57.3%), followed by the South-West (46.2%; 95% CI: 43.2-49.3%), the North-West (35.9%; 95% CI: 33.1-38.7%) and the Littoral (13.0%; 95% CI: 11.3-14.9%) regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison to previous data in 1985-87, 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. tchuemtchuente@schisto.com.
authors.forename: Louis-Albert
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tchuem Tchuenté
authors.forename: Calvine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dongmo Noumedem
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ngassam
authors.forename: Christian Mérimé
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kenfack
authors.forename: Nestor Feussom
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Gipwe
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dankoni
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarini
authors.forename: Yaobi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D011223:Praziquantel