Measure and analysis of urinary bilharziasis incidence levels in the village of Douloumi (Cameroon)
Ndamkou, N.C.; Ratard, R.C.
Bulletin de la Societe de Pathologie Exotique 85(3): 238-240
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9085 PMID: 1422276 Document Number: 394285
A study on urinary schistosomiasis was carried out in the village of Douloumi to evaluate the changes in transmission over a one year period. It showed a stable prevalence rate between 1987 and 1988. However close scrutiny of the different population groups showed this apparent stability was the result of several trends: 1) a high incidence among the resident cohort with increase of prevalence among the younger age groups; 2) a high prevalence among individuals emigrating and 3) a low prevalence among immigrants. Incidence is considered as a better tool to evaluate the recent transmission of schistosomiasis, however incidence evaluation depends on the sensitivity of the case ascertainment method. In this study, a comparison of prevalences among a resident cohort was a good substitute to incidence.