Changes in gastrointestinal tract parasitic infections in St. Kitts children - abstract

ABSTRACT

When 239 (1982) and 361 (1991) 5- and 9-year-old children in St.Kitts were assessed for the presence of parasitic infections there were significant reductions in the prevalence of trichuriasis from 83 percent to 58 percent, of ascariasis from 24 percent to 8.6 percent and of giardiasis from 15 percent to 9.4 percent. Health education appeared to be the most important responsible intervention tool. Anthelmintic use remained roughly at the same level. However, the types of anthelmintics used changed over the period. Piperazine citrate, which was used by 66 percent in 1982, only had 35 percent usage in 1991. Albendazole which was not used at all in 1982 was taken by 32 percent of the children in 1991, and, at the same time, use of laevotetramisole increased by 20 percent from 14 percent (AU)