A community-based study of gastrointestinal helminth and protozoan infection in Western Jamaica
Speed, J.C.; Culpepper, V.; Thompson, D.E.; Henson, R.; Wint, B.; Bundy, D.A.
West Indian Medical Journal 36(2): 73-79
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3144 PMID: 3499709 Document Number: 304656
A study of gastrointestinal parasitic infection was conducted in four communities in the Parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica. All blood smears (n=1.025) were negative and 63.7% of stool specimens (n=696) contained ova/cysts of one or more of 7 helminth and 9 protozoan species. Trichuris and Giardia were the most prevalent species. Prevalence was markedly age-dependent, with infection occurring most commonly in children. It is concluded that gastrointestinal parasitic infections persist at intensity and prevalence levels likely to have a significant impact on community health.