Transmission Dynamics of Intestinal Parasites Infection in Children under Anthelminthic Treatment Residing in a High-Risk Area in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasites continue to pose an important public health problem in low-income countries with children being the most affected, thus justifying their therapeutic follow up. Objective: This work aimed to update the epidemiological base data and evaluate transmission dynamics of intestinal parasites at one and three months post treatment following the administration of multiple doses of mebendazole 100mg in children of the Lolodorf health district, South Region. Methods: 381 stool samples were collected from participants and analysed using the kato-katz and formol ether technicsand each participant treated with multiple dosesof mebendazole within three days. Samples were collected at one and three months post treatment from same individuals. Two indicators were used to evaluate transmission dynamics: reinfection rate and number of newly infected individuals. Results: A global infection rate of 65.3% involving Ascaris lumbricoides (23.1 %), Trichuris trichiura (35.2 %), hookworms (7.9 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.3 %), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (5.8 %), Entamoeba coli (19.2 %), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.3 %) and Candida sp (26.0 %) was registered. Single infection (53.6%) was significantly higher than multiple infections (46.4%) (P=0.04). Significance was in favour of male sex for hookworm infections (P=0.04). Transmission dynamics of the different groups of parasites showed a reduction of helminths and protozoan parasites infections with complete absence of Candida sp. after treatment. The global reinfection rate obtained at three months post treatment was 7.3% with high values observed for T. trichiura (6.1%). The proportion of newly infected individuals varied from 6.2% to 8.9% at one and three months post treatment. Conclusion: These results showed persistence in active transmission of various intestinal parasites in the study area. Hence, stakeholders in charge of controlling theseinfections shouldreinforce specific intervention measures against these diseases such as the implication of control measures at all levels of the transmission chain (individual and environmental level).