Search

Aims: This study aimed at determining the prevalence, infection intensities and risk factors associated with Schistosomiasis (SCH) and Soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) among school aged children (SAC) in Tiko Health District (THD). Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three health areas (Likomba, Holforth and Tiko town) in Tiko Health District. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in THD from July to October, 2018. Methodology: The study included 464 children of both sexes aged between 4 – 15 years. Stool and urine samples were collected from 464 children and processed using the Kato Katz and Urine filtration techniques respectively. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 with statistical significance set at p< 0.05. Results: Of the 464 SAC examined, the overall prevalence of Schistosomiasis, STH and Schistosomiasis/STH co-infection rate in THD was 16.16%, 14.44% and 0.43% respectively. Females (18.98%; 14.81%) were more infected with Schistosomiasis when compared to STH than males (13.71%; 14.11%). The order of STH prevalence observed was Ascariasis (9.27%) > Hookworm disease (3.88%) > Trichuriasis (1.29%). The mean infection intensity for Urinary Schistosomiasis and STH was 4.36 eggs per 10ml and 11.74 eggs per gram (EPG) respectively. SAC residing in Likomba HA were significantly at higher risk of Schistosomiasis (aOR: 4.40, P=0.008) and STH (aOR: 2.14, P = 0.031). Use of tap water was associated with STH. Conclusion: Tiko Health District can be considered as a moderate-risk zone for Schistosomiasis and a low risk zone for STH infection according to WHO classification.

Additional file 1: Text S1. Preparation of Abate dilutions.

Additional file 1 S1 Fig Check for inhibitory factors in DNA.

Additional file 3 S3 Fig Representative data for a 45-cycle reaction for the duplex real-time PCR assay showing positive (above threshold level indicated by the red horizontal line) and negative (below threshold level) signals.

Additional file 7 S3 Table. Socio-demographic characteristics and distribution of participants screened by microscopy in the Melong health district.

Additional file 5 S1 Table. Data input for the simplified interface of three-tests in one-population model (Walter and Irwig model) in Bafia and Melong Health Districts.

Additional file 6 S2 Table. Socio-demographic characteristics and distribution of participants screened by microscopy in the Bafia Health District.

Additional file 2 S2 Fig Detection limits of OvActin real-time PCR.

Additional file 9 S5 Table. Socio-demographic characteristics and distribution of participants that volunteered for the follow up study in the Melong health district.

Additional file 4 S4 Fig. A. Representative Data obtained from individual samples using a colorimetric LAMP assay. Samples containing O. volvulus microfilariae turned yellow (+) and were scored positive. Negative skin snips samples remained pink (−). B. Specificity of colorimetric LAMP assay. Reactions contained no template DNA (>) or DNA from Onchocerca volvulus (OV), Mansonella perstans (MP) or L. loa (LL).

Background: Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination with annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi). High infection levels were reported in South-West Cameroon, despite ≥ 15 years of CDTi. Methods: A large-scale cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 in 20 communities in a loiasis-risk area in South-West Cameroon. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate factors associated with continued transmission and skin disease. Associations between infection levels, skin disease and adherence to CDTi were assessed using mixed regression modelling. Different community members’ perception and acceptability of the CDTi strategy was explored using semi-structured interviews. Results: Onchocerciasis prevalence was 44·4% among 9,456 participants. 5·9% of adults participated in ≥ 75% of CDTi rounds and 17·5% were systematic non-adherers. Skin disease affected 1/10 participants, including children. Increasing self-reported adherence to CDTi was associated with lower infection levels in participants aged ≥ 15 years but not in children. Adherence to CDTi was negatively influenced by fear of adverse events linked with economic loss and concern of lethal adverse events, and positively influenced by perceived health benefits. Interpretation: High onchocerciasis prevalence and morbidity still occur in South-West Cameroon, including among children born in the CDTi era. Because non-adherence is mostly due to community perception of ivermectin-related adverse events, including death and lack of perceived health benefit, CDTi alone is unlikely to achieve elimination in this area of high transmission. Alternative strategies are needed for onchocerciasis elimination where negative perception of ivermectin is an entrenched barrier to community participation in programmes. Funding Statement: Department for International Development, UK. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This protocol was reviewed and approved by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee (reference: 16-027), the Cameroonian National Ethics Committee for Research on Human Health (approval no. 2016/11/838/CE/CNERSH/SP), and the Division of Health Operations Research within the Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health (approval no. 631-03·17). All censused individuals were explained the objectives and procedures of the intervention study. Informed assent was obtained from children and adolescents aged under 18 years with parental consent, and consent was provided by all adult participants.

Introduction hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is transmitted through sexual intercourse, by exchange of saliva during kissing and also to newborns of infected mothers. In the Global Burden of Diseases 2010, 786,000 deaths were attributed to HBV. Studies in Cameroon, reported the prevalence of HBV as high as 10.1% and 12% among blood donors in hospital blood banks. This study therefore, aims at determining the prevalence of HBsAg, knowledge and practices of pregnant women on HBV prevention and transmission in the Limbe Health District (LHD) and Muyuka Health District (MHD). Methods ANC registers were exploited from the health centers for a period of three years (2014-2016) in order to determine the prevalence of HBV infection. 270 women attending ANC were selected by exhaustive sampling. Knowledge and practices of participants on HBV prevention and transmission was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Results the prevalence of HBV in the LHD and MHD were 5.7% and 7.5% respectively. Pregnant women in the LHD demonstrated good knowledge but adopted poor practices whereas in the MHD, pregnant women demonstrated poor knowledge and adopted poor practices regarding the mode of transmission and prevention of HBV infection. There was a significant association between the prevalence of HBsAg and marital status (p = 0.000) in the LHD and age (p = 0.022) in the MHD. Conclusion this study indicated a high prevalence of HBV among pregnant women in the LHD and MHD, knowledge and practices were identified as potential risk factors.

Introduction: anaemia and malnutrition are common health problems in developing countries with children being the most vulnerable. They have negative impacts on human performance, growth and development, in children, both as cause and consequences of disease. Although annual mass deworming and nutrition supplement strategies have been implemented in the Tiko Health District (THD), no study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition. The aim of this study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition among primary school children aged 5-15 years in the Tiko Health District. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 randomly selected schools in the THD and a total of 400 school children were enrolled in the study. Body weight and height were measured using an electronic weighing scale and stadiometer respectively. Anthropometric indices: Height-for-Age Z scores (HAZ), Weight-for-Age Z scores (WAZ) and Body Mass Index-for-Age Z scores (BMIAZ) were analyzed and compared with WHO Growth Reference Standards using WHO Anthroplus software. Hemoglobin levels were determined using Urit-12 Haemoglobinometer and anaemia defined as Hemoglobin (Hb) < 11g/dl. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software. Results: the overall prevalence of malnutrition was 9.25%, prevalence of stunting 7.5% with 0.8% being severely stunted. The prevalence of wasting was 1% and underweight 0.7%. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 5%. Parents occupation and the absence of toilet were statistically associated with anaemia (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003). Age, floor type, absence of toilet and BMI were significantly associated with malnutrition (P = 0.00, P = 0.01, P = 0.02 and P = 0.003). Conclusion: this study revealed a low prevalence of malnutrition and anaemia which could be attributed to the deworming and nutrition supplement strategies which have been implemented.

Introduction:soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infection remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa with children being most vulnerable. STH infection may result in impairment, permanent disability or death. Annual mass deworming has been implemented in the Tiko Health District (THD), however, no study has assessed the current prevalence of STH infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, intensity of STH infections and associated risk factors among school children. Methods:two months after the school deworming exercise, 400 children were sampled from 10 schools in THD. Stool samples were collected and analyzed using the Kato-katz technique. Data on socio-demographic and behavioral factors were collected using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS and intensity of infection categorized following WHO recommendations. Descriptive data were calculated with frequencies (n) and proportions (%), prevalence and 95% confidence interval calculated for gender and age respectively. Differences in prevalence for socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral variables were calculated with Chi square (χ2). Independent sample t-test was used to compare the means in the number of eggs in feces between male and female school children. Results:the prevalence of STH was 1% (95% CI: 0.02-1.98).Ascaris lumbricoideswas the only STH species detected and all cases were of low intensities. The arithmetic mean egg intensity was 3.1egg per gram of faeces. Rates of infection were similar between gender and age. Site of defecation showed an association with STH infection (χ2= 13.63, p=0.03). Conclusion:these findings suggested a low prevalence of STH infection which could be explained by the prior deworming of children, modification in environmental and behavioral factors. Questions on effectiveness of annual mass deworming in achieving STH elimination targets need to be investigated further.