Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): Case Study on Gastrointestinal Parasites and Morbidity Indicators in Some Rural Villages of the South Region of Cameroon | Chapter 06 | Current Trends in Disease and Health Vol. 1
Background:
Parasitic diseases in tropical regions are important cause of morbidity and
mortality. Some groups of infection that sufficient attention has not been
attributed to by donors and planners worldwide still exist presently. These
infections include schistosomiasis, soil transmited helminthes (STHs),
amibiasis etc. Intestinal parasitic infections still constitute major public
health threats in many parts of Cameroon. To improve on the different control
measures and their effectiveness, continuous surveys are necessary to update
epidemiological data.
Aim:
This study aim to evaluate the transmission level of intestinal parasitosis and
morbidity indicators link to infections in inhabitants of Lolodorf Health
district in south Cameroon. Informations from such studies will permit to build
concrete recommendations for the National control program for these infections.
Methodology:
A total of 423 participants were recruited for the study. Stool samples were
collected and examined microscopically for the search of helminthes eggs and
protozoan cysts using Kato Katz and concentration formol-ether techniques
respectively. Anemia was evaluated by measuring heamoglobin level using the
spectrophotometic technic with a hemoglobinometer URIT-12 while malnutrition
was determined by taking anthropometric parameters.
Results:
Out of 423 participants examined, 321 (75.9%) were infected with Ascaris
lumbricoides (30.3%), Trichuris trichiura (64.5%), Hookworms (12.5%), E.
histolytica/ E. dispar (9.9%) and E. coli (34.0%). Among infected individuals,
117 (36.4%) had single infections, while 204 (63.6%) had multiple infections.
Multiple infections were significantly high (P= 0.0001) compared to single
infections. E. histolytica/ E. dispar
infection was significantly more prevalent in females than in males (P=0.01),
same as in participants of 3-5 years for Hookworms (P= 0.02), 3-5 years and
11-15 years for E. coli (P= 0.04). T. trichura infections occurred more
frequently as single infection (P= 0.0001). Interactions between T. trichiura+
E. coli led to a significant increase of E. coli prevalence (P= 0.001).
Significant high egg load was observed for T. trichiura (P= 0.00001) and in
people between 3-5 years infected by T. trichiura (P=0.0001) and hookworms
(P=0.0001). Low infection intensity was significantly more observed compared to
moderate and high infection intensities (P= 0.0001) for A. lumbricoides, T.
trichiura, and Hookworm. T. trichiura density increases significantly when it
interacts with A. lumbricoides + Hookworms, A. lumbricoides + E. coli,
Hookworms + E. coli, E. histolytica/ E. dispar + E. coli, A. lumbricoides +
Hookworms + E. coli and A. lumbricoides + E. histolytica/ E. dispar + E. coli
(P< 0.05).Anemia and malnutrition were the morbidity indicators evaluated. Participants
were severely anemic (46.2%) with probable chronic malnutrition (36.7%).
Moderate anemia was significantly more observed in infected participants
(49.7%: P<0.0001), same for participants of 11-15 years for the two
indicators (P<0.0001).
Conclusion:
This study has demonstrated that the Ngovayang health area in the health
district of Lolodorf is highly endemic for intestinal parasites with high level
of anemia and malnutrition observed in individuals, constitutes an area with
high risk of transmission. This implies that, the protocol of mass drug
administration recommended by MINSANTE might not be adequate to reduce the
endemicity level and morbidity caused by these parasites. Also, recommendations for control measures
should be done while taking into consideration the impact of morbidity
indicators in infected population.
Author(s) Details
Dr. Nkengazong Lucia
Institute of Medical
Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaounde, P.O.Box 13033, Cameroon
& Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of
Yaounde I, P.O.Box 812, Cameroon.
Ngo Ngue Thérèse Nadyne
Faculty of Science,
University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box 454, Cameroon.
Professor Nukenine, Elias
Nchiwan
Faculty of Science,
University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box 454, Cameroon.
Ngué Monique
Institute of Medical
Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaounde, P.O.Box 13033, Cameroon.
Prof. Moyou-Somo Roger
Institute of Medical
Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaounde, P.O.Box 13033, Cameroon.
Comments
Post a Comment