Science Journal of Medicine and Clinical Trials
September 2013,Volume 2013, ISSN: 2276-7487
© Author(s) 2013. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research Article
The Burden of Multiple Infections with Plasmodium Falciparum, Schistosoma Mansoni and Soil-transmitted Helminths among School Going Children in Kisumu, Kenya
Emmily C. Ngetich5*, Jimmy H. Kihara2, Rose O. Odhiambo1, Charles Mwandawiro2,3 and Prashant Swaminathan4
1Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, Box 536, Egerton, Kenya
2Medical Entomology, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
3Medical Parasitology, East and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC),
KEMRI, Box 54840, Nairobi, Kenya
4Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC 27708, USA
5Biological Sciences, Laikipia University, Box 1100, Nyahururu, Kenya
Accepted 10 August 2013; Available Online 1 September, 2013.
doi: 10.7237/sjmct/294
Abstract:
Background: Schistosomosis and soil-transmitted helminths are labelled
neglected diseases and affect exclusively the poor in rural and urban areas
of developing countries. In many cases, these infections occur where
malaria is endemic and pose a major public health problem resulting in
polyparasitism.
Objective:The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence,
intensity and the distribution patterns of multiple infections with
Plasmodium sp, soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomosis among
schoolchildren in Kisumu Municipality, Western Kenya.
Methodology: Three hundred and fifty six (356) children were randomly
selected from four primary schools. Plasmodium species identification and
quantification was done using thin and thick blood smears while Kato Katz
method (WHO kit) was used to quantify intestinal helminth egg/gram of
stool. Nuclear Pore Filtration technique analysis of urine was used to
diagnose Schistosoma haematobium. Additionally, questionnaires were
administered to the participants to determine pre-disposing factors for
parasite infections.
Results: Polyparasitism among the study population is common
phenomenon with Plasmodiumfalciparum and Schistosoma mansoni as the
main infections that occur in single or coinfection with other diagnosed
parasites. Sixty two percent (62%) of the school age children harbour
multiple parasites within them, infected with more than one parasite
species and only 8.6% (N = 356) of the total children were negative to all
parasites diagnosed.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of parasites among the children (91.4%)
is important factor for instituting regular de-worming of schoolchildren
and possible integration into the National Malaria Control programmes.
There is need for policy change in malaria parasitaemia management to
include treatment of asymptomatic individuals to reduce human reservoir
and continuous transmission in the community and continuous public
education to create awareness on dangers of infectious parasitic diseases..
Keyword: Plasmodium, Schistosoma, Soil-transmitted helminths, schoolchildren, Kisumu, Kenya