Prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis in pre-school aged children: a pilot survey in Marolambo District, Madagascar

Abstract School-aged children (SAC) have a considerable burden of intestinal schistosomiasis in Madagascar yet its pre-school aged (PSAC) is currently overlooked. To assess the at-risk status PSAC, we undertook pilot epidemiological survey June 2019 examining ( n = 89), 2–4-years balanced gender, six remote villages Marolambo District, Madagascar. Diagnosis included use urine-circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) dipsticks and coproscopy stool with duplicate Kato-Katz (K-K) thick smears. Prevalence by urine-CCA was 67.4% (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 56.5–77.2%) 35.0% : 24.7–46.5%) K-K. The relationship between faecal eggs per gram (epg) G-scores (G1 to G10) assessed linear regression modelling, finding for every increment G-score, epg increased 20.4 (6.50–34.4, P 0.006). Observed proportions intensities were light (78.6%), moderate (17.9%) heavy (3.6%). Soil-transmitted helminthiasis noted, prevalence ascariasis 18.8% trichuriasis 33.8% (hookworm not reported). Co-infection soil-transmitted occurred 36.3% PSAC. These results provide solid evidence highlighting overlooked they also offer technical guidance better surveillance data Madagascan national control programme.