A national survey of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichuria was carried out in Cameroon on more than 22,000 children from a random sample of 512 schools. Prevalence rates of both A. lumbricoides and T. trichuria infection were very low in the tropical zone (below 5%). They increased markedly in the equatorial zone, Guinea-type climate, to 60-85% for A. lumbricoides and 85-95% for T. trichuria. In the equatorial zone with Cameroon-type climate, prevalences were slightly lower: 50-70% for A. lumbricoides and 70-90% for T. trichuria infections. Environmental conditions are the main factors explaining these differences. Other factors (altitude, population density and urbanization) were not important. The entire population of villages selected from distinct climatic zones of Cameroon were also examined. The age group distribution of A. lumbricoides and T. trichuria infections indicated acquisition early in life, reaching a peak in early childhood, followed by a stable prevalence rate.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Estimation of the number of cases of schistosomiasis in a country: the example of Cameroon.

An estimate of the number of schistosomiasis infections in Cameroon was based on a statistically representative national prevalence survey carried out in the entire country. The number of cases of infection by Schistosoma haematobium was estimated to be 393,900, and 419,600 for S. mansoni, a total of 813,500. Taking into account the dual infections the total number of cases was 719,100 (95% confidence interval: 392 900-1 027,800). A current World Health Organization estimate extrapolating from the results of limited epidemiological surveys showed 2,239 591 cases for Cameroon, an estimate 3.1 times higher than the more accurate estimate based on the national survey. Schistosomiasis being a focal disease, prevalences observed in limited foci are not representative of regional prevalences. Prevalence survey data in the literature are biased toward reporting only positive results. Therefore extrapolations made on limited surveys may lead to an overestimation of the number of cases of schistosomiasis.

Cameroon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surveillance for West Nile virus cases in Louisiana 2001-2004.

West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in Louisiana during August of 2001. An outbreak of 204 human cases of neuro-invasive disease (NID) and 25 deaths occurred in 2002. In the 2 years following, lower numbers of human cases were identified (101 NID cases in 2003 and 84 in 2004) but intense localized foci were observed. The incidence of NID has been particularly high in the elderly (65 years and older). The distribution of West Nile cases has consisted of sporadic cases with a few very intense foci. Annually, human cases have occurred from June through December, with a peak number of new cases in August. As compared with other WNV serosurveys conducted in the United States, it appears that the WNV seroprevalence in Louisiana is not elevated.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Malaria on Banks and Torres, archipelago of the New Hebrides].

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Climate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiology of malaria in Tanna (Vanuatu)].

A malaria survey done on the island of Tanna (Southern part of Vanuatu) showed that this island was hypoendemic with a few areas mesoendemicity where permanent breeding site are available for Anopheles farauti. The average spleen rate was 5,25% and the parasite rate 10,43%. Plasmodium vivax was the most prevalent species. The vector Anopheles farauti was found to be endophilic. Recently, chloroquin resistance was observed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The slow decline of tuberculosis in La.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Population-based nutritional risk survey of pensioners in Yerevan, Armenia.

Armenia, a republic of the former Soviet Union, currently suffers from hyperinflation of its currency, a five-year country-wide blockade, and a war with Azerbaijan. Pensioners 60 years of age or older may be at high risk for significant nutritional deficits. We drew a stratified systematic sample (with a random starting point) of 456 pensioner names from all eight administrative regions in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. We administered a questionnaire that gathered data including self-reported weight and height, demographic characteristics, living conditions, medical and dietary history, income, and aid received from various sources. The survey yielded 381 of 456 (84%) completed interviews. Ninety-one percent reported their diet had gotten worse during the past six months, including less variety (83%) and quantity (85%) of food. Seventy-six percent reported they did not have enough money to buy food, and 91% had cut the size of their meals or skipped meals. Forty-five percent reported a weight loss of > or = 5 kg in the previous year. After we adjusted for potential confounders, weight loss of > or = 5 kg was associated with illness affecting eating (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.4, 3.4), not having received aid (adjusted OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 4.1), and cutting the size of or skipping meals (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1, 6.7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗