[Intestinal parasitic infections and schistosomiasis in the valley of the Senegal river in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania].

An epidemiological survey was carried out in the Trarza and Brakna regions of the Senegal River valley in Mauritania prior to implementation of a program to control intestinal parasitic infection and schistosomiasis. A total of 1297 school children between the ages of 5 and 12 years from a randomized selection of villages in the region were examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasitic infections and schistosomiasis. Overall prevalence was 38.1% for intestinal parasitic infection, 7.1% for intestinal schistosomiasis, and 17.1% for urinary schistosomiasis. Analysis of weight and height as indicators of nutritional status indicated that 40.9% of the children examined were under the 10th percentile of the weight-for-height indicator and that there was a statistically significant correlation between malnutrition, diarrhea, and intestinal parasitic infection (p < 0.0001). Measurement of hemoglobin levels showed that 50.4% of children were anemic (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dl) and that there was a correlation between anemia and infection by Schistosoma haematobium. This is the first epidemiological survey on intestinal parasitic infections in Mauritania and the first study on Schistosoma mansoni on the Mauritanian side of the Senegal River. Findings suggest not only that implementation of a program to control intestinal parasitic infection and schistosomiasis is needed in the region but also that it should be associated with a food/iron supplementation program and growth monitoring.