INTESTINAL HELMINTH INFECTIONS AT ZEGIHE, ETIHIOPIA, WITH EMPHASIS ON SCHSTOSOMIASIS MANSONI

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A total of 400 stool specimens were examined by Kato thick smear technique to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni and other helminth infections among people living in Zeghie town, Northwest Ethiopia. The most prevalent infections were schistosomiasis, ascariasis, and trichuriasis. The infection rates among school children for Schistosoma mansoni. Ascaris lumbricoides and 1richuris trichiura were 69.7 % , 77.7 % and 64.7% , respectively. The respective infection rates of these helminths among the residents were 53.1%, 60.6%, and 50%. The prevalence of schistosomiasis appeared to be higher for males than for females. The high prevalence of infection observed for these helminths in the present study clearly indicates the need for timely control measures.[Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1993;7(1):21-26]