Prevalence and Risk Factors of Taeniasis in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of Northern Ghana

Abstract

Although Taenia solium infestation and cysticercosis have been documented as the main causes of acquired epilepsy and their recognition as important public health hazards has risen over the past 10 years, there is lack of information on the disease burden due to Tape worm infestation and its associated risk factors in the rural communities of northern Ghana. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Taeniasis and document its associated risk factors. The study describes the results of a cross-sectional survey involving 494 participants, selected by a villagebased random sampling method from a population of 99,729 in 4 villages. Stool samples from selected people were examined by the Kato-Katz method for worm eggs/ova. Eggs were detected in 65 people (13.15%) of the Kato smears. Four factors were observed to be associated with Taeniasis infestation on multivariate analysis. A history of a family member ever contracting the disease and pork consumption were the main implicated factors for infestation (P-value = 0.003 & 0.001 respectively). Among the pork consumers, those who opted for measly pork and people who took pork light soups prepared in the markets were observed to have higher probabilities of getting infected. Also, Taenia cysts were observed in 18.8% (22/117) of pigs slaughtered for consumption in the area. These carcasses were either consumed or smoked and transported to towns in the southern sector for sale. Whilst pig rearing was mostly done by the women in the area to supplement household incomes, the husbandry practices (food and feeding habits) were observed to be unsatisfactory. Health education on the need for sanitary and hygienic practices and mass anthelminthic drug administration in the area are recommended.

The Influence of Socio-economic, Behavioural and Environmental Factors on Taenia spp. Transmission in Western Kenya: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Humans and Pigs

“…A recent review of previously published studies across Africa demonstrated taeniasis prevalence ranging from 0% to 8.7% (although these studies do not use a standardised diagnostic protocol) [ 1 ]. A higher prevalence of 13.15% has been reported from Ghana, based on detection by microscopy [ 26 ]. The detected prevalence of taeniasis based on direct observation of Taenia spp.…”

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal parasitic infections among children in Kiryandongo refugee camp, mid-Western Uganda: a cross sectional study

“…A higher prevalence of 13.15 and 9.6% Taenia spp. were reported in studies conducted in Ghana [26] and Nigeria [27] respectively. However, this study reported a low prevalence of 2.9% Taenia spp., which is similar to reports previously published across Africa demonstrating taeniasis prevalence ranging from 0 to 8.7%, although these studies do not use a standardized diagnostic protocol [28].…”

Overview of Taenia solium cysticercosis in West Africa

“…There are indications that pork consumption is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, while preparation methods in the region often do not effectively kill the cysticerci (Assana et al, 2013). Heat resulting from boiling and frying the pork passes through the meat to a greater extent and is more likely to kill the cysts, compared to heat from roasting or barbecue grilling, as reported in Nigeria (Edia-Asuke, et al, 2015).Studies conducted in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso indicated that those who ate pork with cysticerci and those who ate lightly cooked pork soups in the markets had higher probabilities of taeniasis (Bimi et al, 2012;Weka et al, 2013;Carabin et al, 2015). In Benin it is frequently eaten in form of a meat product named "kpete"…”