Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Taenia solium Cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Taeniasis and cysticercosis are human infections caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This study is a baseline for the Community-based intervention. We determined the prevalence of human cysticercosis and associated risk factors following deworming program conducted throughout the country, Mbulu District being among the districts in Northern Tanzania.Methods: Human cysticercosis was determined by enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (Ag- ELISA). Household interviews and observations were conducted to identify risk factors for cysticercosis transmissions among households and communities. Results: Three hundred individuals participated in the study. The age ranged from five to 89 years, with a median of 19 years. The prevalence of human cysticercosis was 23(7.67%). The prevalence was high 6(11.76%) among individuals aged 26 to 35 years and ±45 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence by age group, sex, or occupation. Among the 300 participants, 82(27.3%) had received anthelmintic during the previous year; among these, 5(21.7%) were infected. The likelihood of infection was low among anthelmintic users by 28% [0.72 (0.26-2.01)], but the protection was not significant. The communities differed in risk factors on the availability of clean and safe water supply; 52.7% (46/86) of households visited had no pit latrine. The cysticercosis prevalence showed a significant difference by communities. Conclusion: The prevalence of human cysticercosis was high and associated with higher age groups. The prevalence was low among those who had taken anthelmintic and was associated with lower age groups. The school current school deworming program has a positive effect for school children meanwhile the elderly are at higher risk because the intervention did not target them. It is recommended to scale up anthelmintic intervention to higher age groups.