Publications scientifiques
Emmanuelle S. Yimgoua
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Christian M. Kenfack
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Nestor G. Feussom
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Joseph B. Fassi-Kadji
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Emilienne T. Nkondo
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Ulrich M. Femoe
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
Hermine Boukeng Jatsa* (Auteur correspondant)
Autres affiliations : Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology
PLoS neglected tropical diseases
BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption in Cameroon is approximately twice the African average, and Makenene is a hotspot of Schistosoma mansoni infection in the country. Considering that both schistosomiasis mansoni and alcohol abuse can induce liver pathology, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of S. mansoni and alcohol abuse comorbidity in Makenene, Cameroon. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Makenene, including 431 adults from four communities. Schistosoma mansoni was diagnosed using Kato-Katz (KK) and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) tests. Participants were considered S. mansoni-positive if either test was positive. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to determine the alcohol dependence score (ADS). Sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental factors were also recorded. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 19.6% (95% CI: 15.7-24.0) by KK and 66.1% (95% CI: 58.8-73.3) by POC-CCA, yielding a prevalence of 34.6% (95% CI: 30.2 - 39.0) in the study population. The prevalence of alcohol abuse was 54.3% (95% CI: 49.4-58.7). S. mansoni infection and alcohol abuse comorbidity prevalence was 17.4% (95% CI: 13.9 - 21.1). Independent predictors of this comorbidity included the community of residence, with the risk being nearly fivefold higher in Baloua (AOR = 4.99; 95% CI: 2.36-10.56; p < 0.001) and over twofold higher in Carrière (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.19-4.70; p = 0.013). Furthermore, regular consumption of palm wine (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.39-5.34; p = 0.003) and beer (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.06-3.80; p = 0.032), as well as, being aged 18-39 years (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02-3.46; p = 0.042), were also identified as significant independent factors. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This study confirms S. mansoni endemicity in Makenene and reveals a high prevalence of alcohol misuse, highlighting the comorbidity. These findings call for integrated interventions targeting both schistosomiasis transmission and harmful alcohol use.
