LUZ CLARITA YVAEL MEKACHICK TEGAMNENG1, ETIENNE DIDIER BASSOCK BAYIHA1,*, JEAN THIERRY EBOGO-BELOBO2 and MARTIN GAEL OYONO2,3
1Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
2Laboratory of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
*Corresponding author: bassockbayiha@yahoo.fr
Received: 09 Jun 2026, Reviewed: 10 Aug 2026, Revised: 12 Sept 2026, Accepted: 15 Sept 2026, Published: 25 Oct 2026.
https://doi.org/10.63342/cjbbs2026.34.015.en
ABSTRACT
Intestinal helminth infections, including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases, remain a significant health challenge among school-aged children in developing countries, such as Cameroon, where parasitic co-infections are common. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among school-aged children and assessed their association with cognitive performance and nutritional status. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2025 in three public primary schools in the Mbam and Inoubou Division, Cameroon. A total of 126 children (aged 7 to 14 years) were enrolled; each provided one stool sample that was examined using Mini-FLOTAC and formol-ether concentration techniques. Cognitive performance was assessed with neuropsychological tasks adapted for school-aged children, evaluating five core domains of cognitive function: (i) verbal fluency, (ii) attention, (iii) memory, (iv) calculation, (v) cognitive flexibility. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (Mann̶‑Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Chi‑squared (χ²), Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA), with significance set at P < 0.05. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was 36.51%. Schistosoma mansoni (mono- and co-infections) was the most prevalent species (20.63%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (mono- and co-infections) (19.84%), hookworms (mono- and co-infections) (6.35%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (mono- and co-infections) (0.79%). Co-infection with at least two species was observed in 8.73% of children, most frequently A. lumbricoides + S. mansoni (6.35%). Children infected with A. lumbricoides showed significantly lower cognitive performance than uninfected children. Schistosoma mansoni infection was significantly associated with poor school performance (P = 0.02) and with high exposure to transmission factors (P = 0.009). No significant difference in BMI was observed between infected and uninfected children (P = 0.06). These findings highlight the need for integrated control strategies combining mass drug administration, improved sanitation, health education, and nutritional support.
Key words: Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths, cognitive performance, nutritional status, school-aged children.
RÉSUMÉ
Les infections par les helminthes intestinaux, y compris la schistosomiase et les géohelminthiases, demeurent un important problème de santé chez les enfants d’âge scolaire dans les pays en développement tels que le Cameroun, où les co-infections parasitaires sont fréquentes. Cette étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer la prévalence des infections par les helminthes intestinaux chez les enfants d’âge scolaire ainsi que leur association avec les performances cognitives et l’état nutritionnel. Une étude transversale a été menée de mai à juin 2025 dans trois écoles primaires publiques du département du Mbam-et-Inoubou, au Cameroun. Au total, 126 enfants (âgés de 7 à 14 ans) ont été recrutés; chacun a fourni un échantillon de selles analysé à l’aide des techniques Mini-FLOTAC et de concentration formol-éther. Les performances cognitives ont été évaluées à l’aide de tests neuropsychologiques adaptés aux enfants d’âge scolaire, permettant d’évaluer cinq domaines fondamentaux de la fonction cognitive: (i) la fluence verbale, (ii) l’attention, (iii) la mémoire, (iv) le calcul et (v) la flexibilité cognitive. Les mesures anthropométriques ont été réalisées selon les procédures standardisées. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide de tests statistiques appropriés (le test U de Mann-Whitney, le test K de Kruskal–Wallis, le chi carré (χ²), le test exact de Fisher et l’ANOVA), avec un seuil de significativité fixé à P < 0,05. La prévalence globale des infections par les helminthes intestinaux était de 36,51 %. Schistosoma mansoni (mono et co-infections) était l’espèce la plus fréquente (20,63 %), suivie d’Ascaris lumbricoides (mono et co-infections) (19,84 %), des Ankylostomes (mono et co-infections) (6,35 %) et de Strongyloides stercoralis (mono et co-infections) (0,79 %). Une co-infection impliquant au moins deux espèces a été observée chez 8,73 % des enfants, l’association la plus fréquente étant A. lumbricoides + S. mansoni (6,35 %). Les enfants infectés par A. lumbricoides présentaient des performances cognitives significativement plus faibles que les enfants non infectés. L’infection à Schistosoma mansoni était significativement associée à de mauvais résultats scolaires (P = 0,02) ainsi qu’à une forte exposition aux facteurs de transmission (P = 0,009). Aucune différence significative de l’IMC n’a été observée entre les enfants infectés et non infectés (P = 0,06). Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité de mettre en œuvre des stratégies intégrées de lutte combinant l’administration massive de médicaments, l’amélioration de l’assainissement, l’éducation sanitaire et le soutien nutritionnel.
Mots-clés : Schistosoma mansoni, géohelminthes, performances cognitives, état nutritionnel, enfants d’âge scolaire.
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