The problem and control of gastrointestinal helminthiases in Zimbabwe

Abstract

An overview of the problem of gastrointestinal (GI) helminthiases in Zimbabwe is given in terms of prevalence, distribution, clinical significance of individual parasites and their transmission patterns. Although data on these aspects are incomplete, the available information and the results of studies conducted elsewhere should assist in the planning and implementation of effective helminthiasis intervention strategies. Community-based integrated helminthiasis control measures that include mass chemotherapy, improved sanitation and health education are considered to be the most practical interventions and are being evaluated in Zimbabwe. This community-based approach is cost-effective, as most of the control measures are carried out on a self-help basis. Besides, local voluntary health committees provide consistent community-level surveillance to promote and motivate the population to join in the intervention measures that include improved sanitation and health education, aspects which have broader implications for improved health.

Age-Related Patterns in Human Myeloid Dendritic Cell Populations in People Exposed to Schistosoma haematobium Infection

“…The village was selected because health surveys regularly conducted in the region showed little or no infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and a low S. mansoni prevalence (<2%), which elicit immune responses that cross-react with those against S. haematobium [43], [44], [45]. The low STH and S. mansoni prevalence is consistent with earlier surveys in this area of Zimbabwe [46]–[48]. Villagers are subsistence farmers who have frequent contact with water sources posing a risk of infection (as assessed by questionnaires) due to insufficient safe water provision and low coverage of sanitation facilities as is typical in rural Zimbabwe.…”

Age-Related Patterns in Human Myeloid Dendritic Cell Populations in People Exposed to Schistosoma haematobium Infection

“…The village was selected because health surveys regularly conducted in the region showed little or no infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and a low S. mansoni prevalence (<2%), which elicit immune responses that cross-react with those against S. haematobium [43], [44], [45]. The low STH and S. mansoni prevalence is consistent with earlier surveys in this area of Zimbabwe [46]–[48]. Villagers are subsistence farmers who have frequent contact with water sources posing a risk of infection (as assessed by questionnaires) due to insufficient safe water provision and low coverage of sanitation facilities as is typical in rural Zimbabwe.…”

Inclusion of edaphic predictors for enhancement of models to determine distribution of soil-transmitted helminths: the case of Zimbabwe

“…There are, however, a few studies which included edaphic variables to model STHs [ 22 , 29 , 30 ]. In Zimbabwe, Chandiwana [ 33 ]. Described the distribution of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) using samples collected for the parasitological diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni .…”

“…The study reported a prevalence of 1.6% for hookworms and of 0.5% for A. lumbricoides . Trichuris trichiura was not reported [ 33 ]. The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country.…”

“…The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country. It was, however, highlighted that the data needed to be considered with caution since the stool specimens had been collected for S. mansoni diagnosis and the methodology might not have been suitable for STH [ 33 ]. A recent study by Midzi et al [ 20 ] indicated a combined prevalence of 5.5% for STH.…”

“…At the species level, hookworms, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura had the prevalence of 3.2%, 2.5% and 0.1%, respectively. The distribution of STH followed the trend as described previously [ 33 ].…”

Age-Related Patterns in Human Myeloid Dendritic Cell Populations in People Exposed to Schistosoma haematobium Infection

“…The village was selected because health surveys regularly conducted in the region showed little or no infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and a low S. mansoni prevalence (<2%), which elicit immune responses that cross-react with those against S. haematobium [43], [44], [45]. The low STH and S. mansoni prevalence is consistent with earlier surveys in this area of Zimbabwe [46]–[48]. Villagers are subsistence farmers who have frequent contact with water sources posing a risk of infection (as assessed by questionnaires) due to insufficient safe water provision and low coverage of sanitation facilities as is typical in rural Zimbabwe.…”

Inclusion of edaphic predictors for enhancement of models to determine distribution of soil-transmitted helminths: the case of Zimbabwe

“…There are, however, a few studies which included edaphic variables to model STHs [ 22 , 29 , 30 ]. In Zimbabwe, Chandiwana [ 33 ]. Described the distribution of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) using samples collected for the parasitological diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni .…”

“…The study reported a prevalence of 1.6% for hookworms and of 0.5% for A. lumbricoides . Trichuris trichiura was not reported [ 33 ]. The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country.…”

“…The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country. It was, however, highlighted that the data needed to be considered with caution since the stool specimens had been collected for S. mansoni diagnosis and the methodology might not have been suitable for STH [ 33 ]. A recent study by Midzi et al [ 20 ] indicated a combined prevalence of 5.5% for STH.…”

“…At the species level, hookworms, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura had the prevalence of 3.2%, 2.5% and 0.1%, respectively. The distribution of STH followed the trend as described previously [ 33 ].…”

Age-Related Patterns in Human Myeloid Dendritic Cell Populations in People Exposed to Schistosoma haematobium Infection

“…The village was selected because health surveys regularly conducted in the region showed little or no infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and a low S. mansoni prevalence (<2%), which elicit immune responses that cross-react with those against S. haematobium [43], [44], [45]. The low STH and S. mansoni prevalence is consistent with earlier surveys in this area of Zimbabwe [46]–[48]. Villagers are subsistence farmers who have frequent contact with water sources posing a risk of infection (as assessed by questionnaires) due to insufficient safe water provision and low coverage of sanitation facilities as is typical in rural Zimbabwe.…”

Inclusion of edaphic predictors for enhancement of models to determine distribution of soil-transmitted helminths: the case of Zimbabwe

“…There are, however, a few studies which included edaphic variables to model STHs [ 22 , 29 , 30 ]. In Zimbabwe, Chandiwana [ 33 ]. Described the distribution of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) using samples collected for the parasitological diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni .…”

“…The study reported a prevalence of 1.6% for hookworms and of 0.5% for A. lumbricoides . Trichuris trichiura was not reported [ 33 ]. The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country.…”

“…The study further observed that the majority of infected children were found in the Northeast, the Zambezi Valley, the Central and Southeast low-veld areas of the country. It was, however, highlighted that the data needed to be considered with caution since the stool specimens had been collected for S. mansoni diagnosis and the methodology might not have been suitable for STH [ 33 ]. A recent study by Midzi et al [ 20 ] indicated a combined prevalence of 5.5% for STH.…”

“…At the species level, hookworms, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura had the prevalence of 3.2%, 2.5% and 0.1%, respectively. The distribution of STH followed the trend as described previously [ 33 ].…”