An Epidemiological Assessment of the Infectious forms of Intestinal Helminths in School Children from Chad

Abstract

Abstract

Intestinal helminths constitute the primary cause of illnesses in pre and school age children in the less developed countries. Their importance has been disregarded for a long time because of their insidious and chronic nature. In order to assess the prevalence rate of intestinal helminths in Chadian children, a survey of intestinal worms was carried out from March 2010 to February 2011 intwo ecological zones (Sahelian and Sudanian zones) in the Republic of Chad. 1002 children (541 boys and 461 girls) aged from 6 to 17 years were enrolled in our investigation. The coprological analysis carried out in this study included macroscopic examination, direct microscopic examination and two concentration techniques (the Kato method and the formalin-ether concentration technique). The results showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of intestinal helminths between the two ecological zones, the prevalence being generally higher in the Sudanian zone than in the Sahelian one. Among all the helminths identified in the two zones, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common, followed by Hymenolepis nana. A regular deworming and improvement of the hygienic conditions in these zones could go a long way to prevent intestinal worm infections. The findings of the present study urgently call for an improvement in environmental hygiene, the sanitary education of the populations and the creation of a national program for the fight against intestinal helminths in Chad.