Prevalence and Intensity of Infection of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Babadjou, West Region of Cameroon

Helminth infections, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Hookworms are major public health concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of infection of gastro-intestinal helminthiasis in Babadjou. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out on eight hundred and twenty five (825) stool samples collected from residents using the simple centrifugal flotation and McMaster count technique respectively. Out of the 825 samples examined, 70(8.5%) were infected with at least one helminth parasite with prevalence and intensities of infection of 4.4% and 2594.44 ± 3897.17 for A. lumbricoides, 4.2% and 72.86 ± 110.04 for T. trichiura, 1.9% and 83.33 ± 72.37 for Hookworms and 0.2% and 50 ± 00 for Capillaria hepatica respectively. Males (13.8%) were more infected than females (8.6%). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura vary significantly with age groups with those of 1-10 years taking the lead (17.9%). The prevalence between the three educational levels differed significantly (P < 0.05) for A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and Hookworm where those from the primary level were most infected (28.6%). The locality of Bamedji showed very high prevalences of A. lumbricoides (35.7%) and T. trichiura (17.9%) with significant differences as well. From the different occupations involved in the current study, students harboured all the four nematodes encountered. Cases of double and triple infections were recorded with A. lumbricoides+ T. trichiura (2.4%) being the highest and A. lumbricoides+ T. trichiura+ Hookworms (0.2%) the only triple infection registered. According to fecal concentration of eggs, 77.01% of infections were light infections, 3.44% moderate and 19.54% heavy infections. Only A. lumbricoides had heavy infections while all Hookworm infections were light. The results found on this study show that, it is important to control and prevent gastrointestinal helminths in and around Babadjou.