Prevalence of Malaria and Helminth Infections and Their Link to Knowledge on Preventive Strategies among Asymptomatic Pupils in Rural-urban Cameroon

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of malaria and helminth infection among asymptomatic primary school children in rural and urban Yaoundé-Cameroon, to assess pupils’ knowledge about malaria and STH infection, and to evaluate the association between this knowledge and actual disease prevalence. Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional and was carried out between October 2019 and December 2019 in six primary schools in the Centre region of Cameroon. Methodology:Pupils in classes 3 to six were recruited for the study. Blood and stool samples were collected and analysed to determine pupils’ disease prevalence. Questionnaires following the KAP and health belief model frameworks were administered to evaluate pupils’ health literacy in malaria and helminths. Results: 457 pupils from rural and urban zones participated in this study. 245 (53.6 %) were female and 212 (46.4 %) were male. The prevalence of anaemia was higher in urban than rural zones. Total malaria prevalence was 17.7%. Malaria parasitaemia prevalence classified according to settings revealed rural zones at 28.6% and urban zones at 13.9%. STH infection showed a total prevalence of 4.8% and 7.9% and 3.7% in rural and urban zones respectively. The prevalence of co-infection was 1.2%. Health-literacy gaps in malaria and helminths were identified. Schooling in rural settings and being older were predictors for having a good knowledge of the diseases. However, having good knowledge was not significantly associated to actual malaria parasitaemia or STH prevalence. Conclusion: Insights from this study are essential for the implementation of successful, sustainable and targeted health-promotion strategies to improve the health and well-being of pupils.