A survey of the intestinal helminths of refugees in Juba, Sudan

Abstract

A parasitological survey of refugees based in Juba, Sudan, involving 241 faecal samples, revealed that 66% of the population harboured intestinal helminths. The most commonly found infection was hookworm (36%), followed by Schistosoma mansoni (26%), Strongyloides stercoralis (20%), Hymenolepis nana (11%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1·2%), Trichuris trichiura (0·8%) and Taenia sp. (0·4%). Many of the specimens (42%) harboured a single infection, 21% had double, 2% triple and 1% quadruple infections. Parasite prevalences and intensities were analysed in relation to age, sex, religion and occupation: females (70%) were found to be more infected than males (64%); Muslims (50%) were less infected than Christians (68%) and agriculturalists (90%) were the most infected occupational group.