Intestinal parasitic infections among rural farming communities in eastern Sierra Leone.
Afr J Med Med Sci
; 24(2): 195-200, 1995 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8669401
ABSTRACT
A study carried out in four rural, mainly farming villages in the Gorama Chiefdom, Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone revealed that intestinal helminth infections are prevalent in this area of Sierra Leone. Out of the 1164 persons of all ages who were examined, 853 (73.5%) proved positive for at least one intestinal helminth infection. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common helminth encountered (37.5%), followed by hookworms, 12.9%; Trichuris trichiura, 12.6%; Schistosoma mansoni, 5.6%; Strongyloides stercoralis, 3.8%; tapeworms 1.0%, and multiple infections were common. Adults used poorly built pit latrines, while children defecated indiscriminately and unsupervised around houses and in the nearby bush. In addition, in most of the villages, domestic water was obtained from polluted streams and rivers. Only one village had protected pipe borne water supply. The high prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in this area results from constant infection and reinfection caused by poor sewage disposal, poor environmental health, and the low socioeconomic status prevailing in these communities.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rural Health
/
Agricultural Workers' Diseases
/
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Afr J Med Med Sci
Year:
1995
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Sierra Leone