Baseline data collection in Burkina Faso completed

The 2004 round of baseline data collection, which covered four epidemiological areas, was completed in Burkina Faso in June.

The 2004 round of baseline data collection, which covered four epidemiological areas, was completed in Burkina Faso in June. 1572 children were enrolled in the survey.

Of the four Regional Health Directorates surveyed, one (Sahel) is located in the driest Sahelian ecological zone; two (Nord and Boucle du Mouhoun) are in the intermediate Sahelo-Sudanese zone; and one (Sud-Ouest) is in the more tropical and humid Sudanese zone.

Region Sanitaire du Sahel

S. haematobium is well established in this area but no S. mansoni has ever been found here. The area is populated by nomadic pastoralists found around permanent ponds, as people need a water source for animals. These high human water interactions lead to high levels of transmission.

Prevalence of S. haematobium infection ranged from 83.75% to 93.5% per school. Examination of stool samples for intestinal helminths showed the prevalence was negligible.

Région Sanitaire du Nord

This area is characterised by temporary ponds linked to the rainy season, and artificial lakes created by dams. Agriculture is a major source of income, with green areas around small ponds in an otherwise dry environment.

Prevalence of S. haematobium infection ranged from 32.2% to 83.3% per school. Again STH prevalence was negligible.

Région Sanitaire du Sud-Ouest

This is the southernmost and the most humid area of the country, bordering Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The area is covered with trees, surface water is present here all year round, and small streams and ponds are scattered all over the territory. Both S. haematobium and S. mansoni transmission occurs.

Prevalence of S. haematobium infection ranged from 11.9% to 62.5% per school. Prevalence of S. mansoni infection ranged from 0% to 20.8%. All samples were negative for STH, but this may be in part due to mass distribution of Albendazole (with ivermectin) which had taken place in early 2004 under the auspices of the Lymphatic Filariasis Control Programme.

Région Sanitaire de la Boucle du Mouhoun

This is an area characterised by major irrigation schemes with artificial lakes surrounded by green areas where vegetables are grown. Also temporary ponds and small rivers (usually temporary) are present. Transmission of S. mansoni has been documented in the Sourou irrigation scheme, but S.haematobium is more widespread and more important from the public health point of view.

Prevalence of S. haematobium infection ranged from 18.5 to 78.6% per school. Prevalence of STH infections was generally low, but in one school prevalence of hookworm infection as high as was 40% found.

The main intermediate hosts of S. haematobium in this area are Bulinus truncatus in permanent artificial lakes, and Bulinus senegalensis in temporary natural ponds.

The team led by Dr Jean-Noel Poda of the IRSS (Institut de Recherche en Science de la Santé), and by Dr Seydou Touré (Coordinator of the Programme National de Lutte contre la Schistosomiase) visited 17 schools. Dr Bertrand and Mme Elisabeth Sellin from Reseau SEAL and Dr Albis-Francesco Gabrielli from SCI actively participated in the planning and execution of field activities.