Profile of intestinal parasitosis among school-aged children in Kiliba (eastern DR Congo)

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant global health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• The Kiliba area in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has historically faced challenges with endemic parasitic diseases.
• Understanding the current prevalence and specific species of intestinal parasites is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of human intestinal parasites among school children in the Kiliba area.
• To identify the most common helminth and protozoan species causing infections.
• To assess potential demographic risk factors, such as age and sex, associated with parasitic infections.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples were collected from 602 school children aged 9–20 years between April and June 2014.
• Direct fecal analysis was performed, supplemented by the Kato and Ritchie methods for enhanced detection.
• Statistical analysis included calculating prevalence rates and confidence intervals.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was extremely high at 91.4% (95% CI: 87.6-94.3%).
• Helminthiasis affected 73.8% and protozoa infections 32.9% of the children.
• The most prevalent species identified were Schistosoma mansoni (30.6%), Strongyloides stercolaris (21.3%), and Entamoeba histolytica (17.6%).
• Girls exhibited higher infection rates than boys, and the 17-20 age group had the highest prevalence (97.7%).

Conclusions:

• Intestinal parasitic infections represent a major public health issue in the Kiliba area, with near-universal infection rates observed in school children.
• The high prevalence of specific parasites like Schistosoma mansoni and Strongyloides stercoralis necessitates focused control strategies.
• Urgent implementation of preventive measures, including improved water supply, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education, is critical to reduce the burden of these infections.