Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Schoolchildren in 4 Departments of the Republic of Congo

Sékangué Obili Géril^{1, 2,} , Bidounga Christie Laurel³, Ollandzobo Lucie Charlotte^{3, 2}, Ossibi Ibara Bienvenu Roland^{4, 2}, Gackosso Gaëtan¹, Djendja Ingoba Irène Raïssa¹, Osséré Raïssa Roméonde¹ and Mabiala Babéla Jean Robert^{3, 2}

¹Parasitology-Mycology Department, Brazzaville University Hospital Centre, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

²Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

³Nourrissons Paediatrics Department, Brazzaville University Hospital Centre, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

⁴Infectious diseases service, Brazzaville University Hospital Centre, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Cite this paper:
Sékangué Obili Géril, Bidounga Christie Laurel, Ollandzobo Lucie Charlotte, Ossibi Ibara Bienvenu Roland, Gackosso Gaëtan, Djendja Ingoba Irène Raïssa, Osséré Raïssa Roméonde and Mabiala Babéla Jean Robert. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Schoolchildren in 4 Departments of the Republic of Congo. American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. 2025; 13(4):56-60. doi: 10.12691/ajidm-13-4-1

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis is a neglected tropical disease and a public health problem in developing countries. Objectives: The aim of this study, conducted in a school setting, was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children. Patients, materials and method: The study consisted of analysing 377 stools from children aged 5 to 14 years. Each stool sample underwent a parasitological stool examination including macroscopic stool examination and microscopic examination before and after the simplified Ritchie enrichment technique. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 24.4%. According to age group, children aged 5 to 7 years had the most parasites. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.83 in favour of girls. The frequency of intestinal parasitosis according to the type of parasite was 21.6% for helminths and 78.4% for protozoan parasites. Monoparasitism occurred in 81.4% (79 cases), biparasitism in 16.5% (16 cases) and triparasitism in 2.1% (2 cases). The intestinal parasites identified were: Entamoeba coli (53.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (12.4%), Endolimax nana (11.3%), Giardia intestinalis (7.2%), Entamoeba hartmanni (9.3%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (5.2%), Entamoeba histolytica (6.2%), Entamoeba polecki (2.1%), Entamoeba dispar (4.2%), Trichuris trichiura (6.2%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (3.1%). Conclusion: Intestinal parasitosis remains a public health problem in schoolchildren. Protozoan parasites are more common than helminths. The most common parasites are Entamoeba coli, Ascaris lumbricoides and Endolimax nana.

Keywords:
Parasites Intestinal parasitic infections Schoolchildren Congo

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