Low Prevalence of Helminth Infections among Primary School Children in the Volta Region of Ghana
Verner N. Orish *
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
Jones Ofori-Amoah
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, UHAS, Ho, Ghana
Kokou Hefoume Amegan-Aho
Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
Lennox Mac-Ankrah
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
Ibrahim Jamfaru
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
Innocent Afeke
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
Festus K. Adzaku
School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil transmitted helminths (STH), as well as Schistosoma haematobium and mansoni, are very common helminth infections among children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of helminth infection among children in the Volta Region of Ghana. This was a cross sectional study involving primary school children from 5 primary schools in 3 districts in the region. A total of 550 primary school children were enrolled in this study. Questionnaires were administered to each child, together with collection of stool and urine samples. Samples were then examined using the microscope to detect the presence of larvae and eggs of intestinal helminths as well as Schistosoma parasites. Pearson chi square test was used to evaluate the association between Schistosoma sp. and other variables in the study. Only 1.27% (7/550) of children in this study were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides and 0.91% (5/550) with hookworm. A single child was infected with Schistosoma mansoni, and 57(10.36%) children were infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Highest prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infections were seen in primary school children at the Afegame Evangelical Presbyterian primary school (34, 27.64%) and Davanu primary school (14, 17.72%). The low prevalence of helminth infection among the school children in this study might suggest a positive impact of the periodic deworming program for the children. This effort should be intensified, especially among the poor and vulnerable groups in the region.
Keywords: Intestinal helminthes, Schistosoma haematobium and mansoni, periodic deworming, primary school children