bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/584318

Multiparasitism among Schoolchildren of Akonolinga, Nyong et Mfoumou Division, Centre Region of Cameroon

OYONO, M. G.·LEHMAN, L. G.·FOSSO, S.·BILONG BILONG, C. F.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

In Sub-Saharan Africa, school-age children are the most vulnerable to parasitic infections and are particularly exposed to multi-parasitism and its potential consequences. This study aimed at determining the intensity of multi-parasitism in Nyong et Mfoumou Division and identifying its determinants. A cross-sectional study took place from September 2017 to July 2018 among pupils of five (05) government schools from the Nyong et Mfoumou Division. Stool samples were collected from each child and examined for protozoan cysts, helminth eggs and larva while blood samples were collected for detection of Plasmodium spp and filarial blood stages. In addition, socio-demographic and school environment related information were documented. In total, 416 schoolchildren were recruited; out of which 309 (74.28%) were infected by at least one parasite species. 13 parasite species were found: 03 hemoparasites and 10 intestinal parasites. Plasmodium falciparum was the main hemoparasite (37.26%). Amongst intestinal parasites, Entamoeba coli were the most common among protozoa (29.33%) and Ascaris lumbricoides among helminths (21.39%). The frequency of multi-parasitism was 44.47% and the average species reach was 1.43 {+/-} 0.01 per individual. Four types of multi-parasitism were found (bi-parasitism, tri-parasitism, quadri-parasitism and penta-parasitism); the bi-parasitism (26.68%) was the most common. Significantly statistic associations were found between parasite species such as: Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichirus trichiura and Mansonella perstans and can generally be explained by the same means of transmission. We conclude that the intensity of multiparasitism among schoolchildren in Nyong et Mfoumou Division is high with predominance in rural areas.\n\nAuthor SummaryEverywhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, school-age children are most vulnerable to parasitic infections, and in higher risk of multiparasitism and its potential consequences. Here, we report results obtained from pupils aged from 4 to 15 years from the Nyong et Mfoumou Division in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Amongst these pupils, 74.28% were infected with one parasite specie at least and 13 parasite species were found in the study area. The highest frequency, 37.26%, was found for Plasmodium falciparum. Entamoeba coli (29.33%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (21.39%) were the most common intestinal protozoa and helminth respectively. The frequency of multiparasitism was 44.47%; 26.68% participants harbored two parasites species concurrently and the maximum number of parasites harbored by one host individual was 5. The risk of multiparasitism was significantly higher for females, schoolchildren aged from 8 to 11 years and those living in rural areas. We conclude that the frequency of multiparasitism is higher in the Nyong et Mfoumou Division. These findings could be helpful in defining and implementing more effective parasitic diseases control strategies.

Source connections

Explore related subjects

epidemiologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

OYONO, M. G., LEHMAN, L. G., FOSSO, S., BILONG BILONG, C. F.. 2019-03-21. Multiparasitism among Schoolchildren of Akonolinga, Nyong et Mfoumou Division, Centre Region of Cameroon. https://doi.org/10.1101/584318

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2019

Rainfall and other meteorological factors as drivers of urban transmission of leptospirosis

BackgroundLeptospirosis is an important public health problem affecting vulnerable urban slum populations in developing country settings. However, the complex interaction of meteorological factors driving the temporal trends of leptospirosis remain incompletely understood.\n\nMethods and findingsFrom 1996 to 2010, we investigated the association between the weekly incidence of leptospirosis and climatic variables in the city of Salvador, Brazil by using a dynamic generalized linear model that accounted for time lags, overall trend and seasonal variation. Our model showed an increase of leptospirosis cases associated with rainfall, lower temperature and higher humidity. There was a lag of one-to-two weeks between weekly values for significant meteorological variables and leptospirosis incidence. Independent of the season, a weekly cumulative rainfall of 20 mm increased the risk of the leptospirosis by 10% compared to a week without rain. Finally, over the 14 year study period the incidence of leptospirosis decreased significantly by four fold (12.8 versus 3.6 per 100,000 people), independently of variations in climate.\n\nConclusionsStrategies to control leptospirosis should focus on avoiding contact with contaminated sources of Leptospira as well as on increasing awareness in the population and health professionals within the short time window after both low-level and extreme rainfall events. Increased leptospirosis incidence was restricted to one-to-two weeks after those events suggesting that infectious Leptospira survival may be limited to short time intervals.\n\nAuthor SummaryTo determine the role of meteorological variables, seasonal variation and temporal trends in the incidence of leptospirosis, we investigated the time series of leptospirosis incidence amongst residents of Salvador, Brazil, from 1996 to 2010. Exploratory and confirmatory statistical methods detected associations between meteorological factors and disease incidence. Results showed the importance of extreme meteorological conditions, particularly rainfall, as short-term predictors of leptospirosis incidence. In addition, we found a long-term decreasing trend of in disease incidence over the observation period.

epidemiology↗
bioRxiv2019

Cost utility analysis of end stage renal disease treatment in Ministry of Health dialysis centres, Malaysia: hemodialysis versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVESIn Malaysia, there is exponential growth of patients on dialysis. Dialysis treatment consumes a considerable portion of healthcare expenditure. Comparative assessment of their cost effectiveness can assist in providing a rational basis for preference of dialysis modalities.\n\nMETHODSA cost utility study of hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was conducted from a Ministry of Health (MOH) perspective. A Markov model was also developed to investigate the cost effectiveness of increasing uptake of CAPD to 55% and 60 % versus current practice of 40% CAPD in a five-year temporal horizon. A scenario with 30% CAPD was also measured. The costs and utilities were sourced from published data which were collected as part of this study. The transitional probabilities and survival estimates were obtained from the Malaysia Dialysis and Transplant Registry (MDTR). The outcome measures were cost per life year (LY), cost per quality adjusted LY (QALY) and incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the Markov model. Sensitivity analyses were performed.\n\nRESULTSLYs saved for HD was 4.15 years and 3.70 years for CAPD. QALYs saved for HD was 3.544 years and 3.348 for CAPD. Cost per LY saved was RM39,791 for HD and RM37,576 for CAPD. The cost per QALY gained was RM46,595 for HD and RM41,527 for CAPD. The Markov model showed commencement of CAPD in 50% of ESRD patients as initial dialysis modality was very cost-effective versus current practice of 40% within MOH. Reduction in CAPD use was associated with higher costs and a small devaluation in QALYs.\n\nCONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest provision of both modalities is fiscally feasible; increasing CAPD as initial dialysis modality would be more cost-effective.

epidemiology↗
bioRxiv2019

Social, demographic, health care and co-morbidity predictors of tuberculosis mortality in Amazonas, Brazil: a multiple cause of death approach

OBJECTIVESTo estimate TB mortality rates, describe multiple causes in death certificates in which TB was reported and identify predictors of TB reporting in death certificates in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, based on a multiple cause of death approach.\n\nMETHODSDeath records of residents in AM within 2006-2014 were classified based on tuberculosis reporting in the death certificate as tuberculosis not reported (TBNoR), reported as the underlying cause of death (TBUC) and as an associate cause of death (TBAC). Age standardized annual mortality rates for TBUC, TBAC and with TB reported (TBUC plus TBAC) were estimated for the State of Amazonas, using the direct standardization method and WHO 2000-2025 standard population. Mortality odds ratios (OR) of reporting TBUC and TBAC were estimated using multinomial logistic regression.\n\nRESULTSAge standardized annual TBUC and TBAC mortality rates ranged, between 5.9-7.8/105 and 2.7-4.0/105, respectively. TBUC was associated with residence in the State capital (OR=0.66), female sex (OR=0.87), education level (OR=0.67 and 0.50 for 8 to 11 and 12 or more school years), non-white race/skin colour (OR=1.38) and occurrence of death in the State capital (OR=1.69). TBAC was related to time (OR=1.21 and 1.22 for years 2009-11 and 2012-14), age (OR=36.1 and 16.5 for ages 15-39 and 40-64 years) and when death occurred in the State capital (OR=5.8).\n\nCONCLUSIONTBUC was predominantly associated with indicators of unfavorable socioeconomic conditions and health care access constraints, whereas TBAC was mainly related to ages typical of high HIV disease incidence.\n\nConflicts of interestNone.\n\nFundingFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas - FAPEAM

epidemiology↗