Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Worms In School-Aged Children In The Localities Of Awae, Esse, Mfou And Nkolafamba Of Mefou And Afamba Division, Yaounde- Cameroon; Relationships To Environmental And Behavioural Risk Factors

Mbuh Salioh Mbinyui, Njua-Yafi Clarisse, Okoa Amougou Therese, Fadimatou Vagai, Marlyse Bouba, Djabidatou Ousmanou, Akwah Lilian, Ebogo-Belobo Jean Thierry, Eyebe Richard, Ajeagah Gideon Aghaindum

Abstract


The main aim this research was to investigate the prevalence of protozoa and helminth infection among school-aged children in Mefou and Afamba Division, Yaoundé-Cameroon and to evaluate the association between the environmental and behavioural risk factors and actual disease prevalence.

This study was a cross-sectional and was carried out from June 2026 to August 2026 in four localities of the Mefou and Afamba Division in the Centre region of Cameroon.

School-aged children within the communities were recruited for the study. Stool samples were collected and analyzed using the wet mount and kato-katz methods to determine the children’s disease prevalence. Questionnaires following the environmental and behavioural risk factors were administered to evaluate the risks associated to the diseases.

A total of 416 children from the communities participated in this study. 204 (49 %) were female and 212 (51 %) were male. Protozoa and helminth infection both showed a total prevalence of 5.3%. When compared amongst the four villages, the prevalence of helminth was highest in Nkolafamba (15.8) followed by Esse (3.9%) while Awae and Mfou both had 0%. Comparing the prevalence of protozoa, Esse had the highest (9.8%) followed by Awae (8%), Mfou (4%) and Nkolafamba (0%). Environmental and behavioural risk factors for protozoans and helminths were identified. Drinking unsafe water, using and sharing poor toilet types, poor disposal of household solid waste, infrequent hand washing with soap and rarely or only taking deworming medication when sick were found to promote the diseases.

The presence of parasites in apparently healthy children indicates the continuous presence of reservoirs for disease transmission. The low prevalence of intestinal parasites in these localities could be an indication that the mass drug administration of anthelminthics is an effective strategy reducing the disease burden. Insights from this study are essential for the implementation of successful, sustainable and targeted health-promotion strategies to improve the health and well-being of children.

Keywords


Protozoa and helminth infection, school-aged children, Wet mount and Kato-Katz, Risk factors, Awae, Esse, Mfou and Nkolafamba, Yaounde

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v59.1.8710

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