EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF MAIN HUMAN INTESTI NAL HELMINTHIASIS IN THE MIDDLE WEST OF MADAGASCAR

An epidemiological study of human intestinal helminthiasis was conduct ed during icily and August 1995, in the middle west of Madagascar with 4571 adults and children ranging from six months to 90 years in 61 co mmunities between Betafo and Miandrivazo. Faecal examination utilising the MIF concentration method revealed that ascariasis was the dominan t nematodosis in the middle west with high prevalences in the high-alt itude communities. Ascaris lumbricoides prevalences increase among chi ldren and women. Interesting more than 50% of the pattern, ascariasis is a public health problem and its association with infant malnutritio n is statistically significant. Hookworm infection prevalence is highe r in low-altitude communities, it increases among adults. The Trichuri s trichiura prevalences were lower than the prevalences of ascariasis and hookworm infection in ail of the communities. Important variations of the prevalences of intestinal helminthiasis are observed essential ly in relation with climatic conditions.