Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study estimated the prevalence of Hymenolepis nana infection in primary school children living in Burkina Faso. A parasitological survey was conducted in 2013 in 22 primary schools located in eleven regions of Burkina Faso. Kato-Katz method was used as a technique to detect the H. nana eggs. The prevalence and intensity of the infection were determined by estimating the means of H. nana eggs per gram of faeces (epg). 3514 school children from 7 to 11 years old have been investigated. The overall prevalence of H. nana was 3.22%. It varied from 0 to 11.25% among the primary schools (p<0.001). The difference was not significant according to gender (p=0.963) and the children aged 8 and 9 years were more infected (p=0.021). The highest mean intensity of eggs was 162 epg according the primary schools. The distribution of H. nana in Burkina Faso was determined. The prevalence of H. nana was low in the different primary schools.

Key words: Prevalence, Hymenolepis nana, school children, Burkina Faso.