PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF GASRO-INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG SCHOOLAGED CHILDREN IN URBAN AND RURAL HEALTH DISTRICTS OF BAMENDA, NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON.

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted in two health districts of Bamenda: Ntambag representing the urban setting and Santa representing the rural area. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections remain a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa,
particularly among school-aged children. They contribute to malnutrition, impaired cognitive development, and reduced academic performance. Intestinal parasitic infections remain a signicant public health concern among school-aged children in
Cameroon. Although several studies have been conducted in different regions of the country, recent comparative data on the
prevalence and risk factors of these infections in both urban and rural settings of Bamenda are scarce. The aim of this study was to
investigate the prevalence, and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among school-aged children in
four schools in Bamenda Urban and Rural Health Districts.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2025 among 181 school-aged children (5–15
years) selected by stratied random sampling from four schools in Ntambag (urban) and Santa (rural) health districts of Bamenda.
Data on sociodemographic, hygiene, and environmental factors were collected using a structured questionnaire, and stool samples
were examined microscopically using the formol-ether concentration technique. Associations between infection and risk
factors were analyzed using Chi-square tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically signicant.
Results: Out of 181 stool samples examined, 46 (25.4%) were positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite. Protozoan
infections predominated (35/46; intestinal. Les infections à protozoaires prédominaient (35/46 ; 76,1%) par 76.1%) compared with helminthic infections (11/46; 23.9%). The most common species identied were “Entamoeba histolytica (13/46; 28.2%), Entamoeba coli (11/46; 23.9%), and Blastocystis hominis”. (7/46; 15.2%). Infections were signicantly higher in rural areas (27.5%) than in urban settings (23.3%; p < 0.05), and were due to factors such as lack of proper sanitation, poor handwashing habits, and walking barefoot. Infection rates were signicantly associated with risk factors such as hygiene practices, toilet type, pet ownership, and water source (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasitic infections remain common among school-aged children in Bamenda, with protozoa
predominating over helminths. The higher prevalence in rural settings reects the inuence of poor sanitation and hygiene
practices. Strengthened school-based health education, regular deworming, and improved water and sanitation facilities are
recommended to further reduce infection rates.