Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis in the Regions of Centre, East and West Cameroon

Overview

Journal PLoS Negl Trop Dis

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Tropical Medicine

Date 2012 Mar 14

PMID 22413029

Citations 51

Authors

Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuente

Romuald Isaka Kamwa Ngassam

Laurentine Sumo

Pierre Ngassam

Calvine Dongmo Noumedem

Deguy Dor Luogbou Nzu

Esther Dankoni

Christian Merime Kenfack

Nestor Feussom Gipwe

Julie Akame

Ann Tarini

Yaobi Zhang

Fru Fobuzski Angwafo 3rd

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Methodology: 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.

Principal Findings: 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/significance: 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.

Citing Articles

Residual transmission of schistosomiasis in Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon) despite implementation of complementary control strategies: Prospects for elimination.

Kengne Fogang H, Nana Djeunga H, Kengne-Fokam A, Tchami Mbagnia M, Njiokou F, Nsagha D Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2025; 28:e00410.

PMID: 40008243 PMC: 11852676. DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00410.

Morphological identification of hookworm species in five regions of Cameroon.

Dongmo C, Jatsa H, Tchuem Tchuente L Helminthologia. 2024; 61(3):224-231.

PMID: 39679330 PMC: 11637546. DOI: 10.2478/helm-2024-0025.

Community-based prevalence, intensity and risk factors associated with soil-transmitted helminthiases and intestinal schistosomiasis in Apojola, Ogun state, southwest Nigeria.

Adenusi A, Sheba K, Ugwueze K, Akinsola O, Adegbite R, Nwanya V BMC Infect Dis. 2024; 24(1):1302.

PMID: 39543464 PMC: 11566383. DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-10175-9.

First reports of urogenital schistosomiasis in the Ndikiniméki health district, Center Cameroon.

Bienvenu B, Christelle K, Laurelle D, Tchampo F, Ukaga C, Parfait A IJID Reg. 2024; 12:100398.

PMID: 39140009 PMC: 11321318. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100398.

Effectiveness of Three Sampling Approaches for Optimizing Mapping and Preventive Chemotherapy against in the Western Part of Côte d'Ivoire.

Sekre J, Ouattara M, Diakite N, Bassa F, Assare R, Kouadio J Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024; 9(7).

PMID: 39058201 PMC: 11281647. DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9070159.

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