Intestinal helminthic infections in schoolchildren in Cambodia

During the period January to December 1998, the National Malaria Center (CNM) carried out a parasitological survey of schoolchildren in rural and semi-urban areas, to assess intestinal helminthic infections in schoolchildren in the central parts of Cambodia. In the rural areas, there were four schools in Stung Treng Province (all situated along the Mekong River), five schools in Kratie Province (around rubber plantations), six schools in Kampong Chhnang Province (along Tonle Sap Lake); and in the semi-urban areas, three schools in Beng Tumpon Commune and five schools in Chbar Ampeou Commune (Mean Chey District) were selected for study. By Kato-Katz technique, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infections in schoolchildren in both the rural and urban areas was high. The infection rate was between 10-40% for Ascaris, 2-17% for Trichuris and 5-65% for hookworm. Schistosomiasis and opisthorchiasis were found in the schoolchildren living along the Mekong River (Stung Treng Province); the infection rate of S. mekongi ranged from 12 to 43%. These infections in children were with hepatomegalies. An intervention in an urban area (Chraing Chamres) showed that after repeated treatment with mebendazole 500 mg single dose every 6 months, the prevalence of all parasites had dropped to about one third of the initial level.