Intestinal parasitism of children and mothers in rural Somalia

A survey on intestinal parasitism was carried out by microscopic examination of stool specimens from 517 children (0 to 16 years old) or from mothers living in two rural towns in Somalia. Burao represented the hot and dry region in the north and Kismayo the more humid area in the south. The overall prevalances of intestinal parasitism were 48 and 88%, respectively. Protozoal infestation was found in 46% (potentially pathogenic protozoa in 20%) in Burao and 37% (potentially pathogenic protozoa in 17%) in Kismayo. In contrast a major difference between the two towns was observed with helminthic infection. In Burao only 6% of the specimens showed worm eggs or larvae, whereas in Kismayo the prevalence was 84% (P less than 0.001). The difference in helminthic infection rates might be explained by the different climatic factors, different population densities or habits of the people. Among 14 detected parasitoses the following five were found with an overall frequency of 10% or greater: trichuriasis (45%); entamebiasis coli (23%); ascariasis (17%); giardiasis (16%); and ancylostomiasis (15%).