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Soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children from Cocle Province, Republic of Panama

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

L. J. Robertson ,
D. W. T. Crompton ,
D. E. Walters ,
M. C. Nesheim ,
D. Sanjur  and
E. A. Walsh
L. J. Robertson
Affiliation:
1Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
D. W. T. Crompton
Affiliation:
1Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
D. E. Walters
Affiliation:
2Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetic Research, Babraham Hall, Cambridge CB2 4AT
M. C. Nesheim
Affiliation:
3Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 14853, USA
D. Sanjur
Affiliation:
3Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 14853, USA
E. A. Walsh
Affiliation:
1Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
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Summary

A survey was carried out to determine values for the prevalence and intensity of infection of intestinal helminths in children living in Cocle Province, Republic of Panama. The data set consisted of the results of microscopic examinations (modified Kato Katz technique) of stool samples collected in November 1987 from 661 children attending primary schools in 4 communities in the province. The overall prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections were found to be 18·2, 12·0 and 27·5% respectively. There were significant differences between the infection prevalence values for children attending the different schools, but not with respect to age or sex. Positive associations were detected between particular pairs of infections and these were most evident when Trichuris trichiura was involved. The data revealed evidence of a positive association between siblings at one school only for each helminth infection.

Keywords

Ascaris lumbricoidesTrichuris trichiurahookwormprevalenceinfection intensityintestinal helminths
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 99 , Issue 2 , October 1989 , pp. 287 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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