Hydatid disease in Toposaland, Southern Sudan.

A total of 1010 people in Toposa-land Southern Sudan were screened for hydatid disease using a portable ultrasound scanner. The prevalence of the disease was shown to be 3.5% with a majority of the cysts (60%) being located in the liver. Unlike the situation observed among the Turkana people, the level of hydatid infection within various age groups depict progressive linear increase. In addition, the level of the disease infection in both sexes show no significant difference whereas in Turkana the prevalence in women is twice that found in men. The occurrence of such differences within two culturally closely related communities is an enigma requiring further investigations. In the absence of guaranteed source of funding on a long term basis which is essential for a hydatid control programme, the control measures recommended include incorporation of hydatid education into the school and health curriculum.