Co-Infections of Asymptomatic Malaria and Soil-Transmitted Helminths in School Children in Localities with Different Levels of Urbanization in the Mount Cameroon Region

Abstract

Malaria and Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) do co-infect hosts and it has been speculated that urbanization alters the frequency and transmission dynamics of both infections. This study was aimed at finding out the influence of urbanization on the prevalence and intensity of co-infections of asymptomatic malaria and STHs in schoolchildren in the Mount Cameroon Region. A total of 235 and 208 children from Ekona (rural) and Great Soppo (urban) respectively aged 4-14 years were enrolled into a cross-sectional study. Blood films were Giemsa-stained for the determination of malaria parasite density and speciation. Capillary blood was spun for the determination of packed cell volume. Stool samples were examined by the Kato-Katz technique for the presence and intensity of STHs. The prevalences of malaria in Ekona and Great Soppo were, 92.34 % and 82.70 % respectively (X 2 = 9.60, p = 0.002). Malaria Geometric Mean Parasite Density (GMPD) in Ekona (277 ± 1988) was higher than that in Great Soppo (251±2400 parasites/ µl). Prevalence of helminths was higher in Ekona (43.82%) than Great Soppo (11.54%) (X 2 = 60.12, p < 0.001). Co- infections were higher in Ekona (41.70 %) than Great Soppo (10.58%) (X 2 = 45.83, p < 0.001). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth and also had the highest Geometric Mean Egg Density (GMED) in Ekona, followed by Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. A similar pattern was observed in Great Soppo except for T. trichiura which was the most prevalent helminth. Prevalences of anemia in Ekona and Great Soppo were 6.00% and 1.00% respectively. The highest prevalence of anemia, GMPD and GMED occurred in co-infected participants when compared to those infected only with malaria or STHs. The prevalence of the infeections decreased with increase in level of urbanization. School- based control of these infections especially in rural areas will reduce their related morbidities.