Abstract: Parasitic infections such as Soil transmitted heminths and Plasmodium falciparum remain a call for concern in Cameron and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa despite the efforts of various control programs. These diseases show similar geographic distributions and co-infections are common. Due to lack of information on pre-control endemicity levels of these diseases in Tombel health district of Cameroon, evaluation of disease control programs became difficult. We therefore designed this study to provide the scientific world and control program evaluators a reference point for their activities in this area. In a cross-sectional study involving 1083 participants (580 males and 503 females), finger-prick blood and fresh stool samples were collected from 1083 and 532 participants respectively. Blood and stool samples were examined using Geimsa stain and the Kato-Katz faecal technique to respectively diagnose P. falciparum and STHs. Questionnaire was used to obtain demographic, behavioural and socioeconomic data of the participants. Correlation models were used to test for association. The prevalence of STHs, malaria and co-infections were 10.2%, 33% and 7.1% respectively. Significantly higher prevalences of P. falciparum were recorded in the thick canopied forest communities of Ebonji and Ndom health areas as compared to those from less density forest areas. Prevalence and intensities of P. falciparum and STHs were higher in children 15 years and below. Correlation models revealed that living in typical rural communities and belonging in the age group 15 years and below were strongly positively associated with STHs infection(r = 0.62 and r = 0.85 respectively)and P. Falciparum infection (r = 0.71 and r = 0.80 respectively). Tombel health district was found to be hyperendemic for P. falciparum, with relatively low prevalence of STHs. Thus, still remain a call for concern. These baseline data will therefore serve as a reference point for the evaluation of various control programs targeting these infections.
Keywords: Endemicity, Tombel health district, co-infection, prevalence, soil transmitted helminths, P. falciparum.
Title: An assessment of the endemicity of Plasmodium falciparum and soil transmitted helminth infections in the Tombel health district of Cameroon: Implications for monitoring the progress of disease control programs
Author: Laurantine Mutofor Nangah, Samuel Wanji, Winston Patrick Chounna Ndongmo, Dizzle Bita Tayong, Fabrice R. Datchoua Poutcheu, Jonas Arnaud Kengne-Ouafo, Nathalie Amvongo-Adjia, Eugene Bangwen Ndim, Anabel Chia
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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