Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in capital areas of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa

Chien Wei Liao, Chung Jung Fu, Cheng Yan Kao, Yueh Lun Lee, Po Ching Chen, Ting Wu Chuang, Toshio Naito, Chia Mei Chou, Ying Chie Huang, Idalina Bonfim, Chia Kwung Fan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Although the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP) has undertaken school children-based deworming programs against intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) using a single dose of mebendazole annually since 2005, it remains unclear as to the outcome to date. The present study intends to investigate the recent IPIs status among school children living in capital areas of the DRSTP. Methods: A total of 252 school children (121 boys and 131 girls) of grades 4 and 5 from 4 primary schools located in the capital areas participated in the present study and their fresh fecal specimens were examined for the presence of any parasites using the merthiolate- iodine-formaldehyde concentration method as conducted. Results: The overall prevalence of IPIs was 64.7% (163/ 252). No significant gender difference in prevalence between boys (67.8%) and girls (61.8%) was found (p = 0.3). The majority of school children were infected with a single species of parasite (55.8%). Altogether, 12 different intestinal parasite species were identified in DRSTP school children, of which 9 species were pathogenic and the remaining 3 were non-pathogenic. Conclusion: Improving the detection method, sanitation facilities and personal hygiene as well as utilizing combined drugs are all important measures to greatly reduce IPIs in DRSTP school children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)690-697
Number of pages8
JournalAfrican Health Sciences
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1 2016

Keywords

  • Democratic republic of Sao Tome and principe
  • Intestinal parasitic infections
  • School children

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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