Prevalence of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections among schoolchildren in Burkina Faso

Objective: To determine the current status of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among schoolchildren after 10 years of mass treatment with praziquantel. Material and methods: Parasitological surveys were conducted. in 2013 in 22 primary schools located. in 11 regions of Burkina Faso. Urine filtration methods and Kato-Katz techniques for stool were used to detect the eggs of Schistosoma h oe matobiztm, Schistosoma mansoni, and STH. Results: 3514 schoolchildren aged from 7 to 11 (1.415 +/- 9) years participated in the study. The prevalence of S. h oe matobium was 8.1% and of S. mansoni, 1.2%. The prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis ranged from 0.6% to 26.2% and that of urinary schistosomiasis from 0.6% to 56.2%. The prevalence of bookworms was 1.1%, Ascaris lumbricoldes0.1%, and Trichuris trichiura 0.06%. The arithmetic mean of S. h oe matobium and S. mansoni were respectively 6 eggs/10 mL and 1.07 epg (eggs per grain). The arithmetic means of eggs were 0.07 epg, 0.03 epg, and 1.89 epg respectively for A. lumbricoides, trichiura, and Ankylostoma spp. Conclusion: This study shows the current situation for schistosomiasis and STH infections in different regions of Burkina Faso. Elimination of this parasitic disease requires the inclusion of other control methods, in addition to mass treatment.