Abstract:
Hydatidosis remains a significant public health concern in North Africa. A survey
concerning variables potentially associated with family hydatidosis prevalence was conducted
among Eastern Algeria households (wilaya of Constantine). The investigation aims to
establish a preliminary work to update hydatidosis epidemiology and to highlight risk factors
in urban and rural areas. A lifestyle questionnaire has been implemented through interviews
of 1611 households of Constantine (urban area) and Aïn Abid (rural area). Factors associated
with at least one family case of hydatidosis were analyzed using multivariate logistic models.
4.6% of urban households and 14.6% of rural households reported at least one case of
hydatidosis. In the urban area, the slaughter of more than one sheep per year was associated
(P<0.05) with hydatidosis. Moreover, the slaughter of sheep by a non-professional, the
presence of stray dogs in the district and the possession of more than one dog tended (P<0.1)
to be associated with the urban risk. In the rural area, home slaughter of sheep, presence of
lesions on the lungs and/or the livers of slaughtered sheep and household members working in
animal husbandry were associated with risk, while the variable “unfamiliarity with the name
of the disease” was associated with the absence of risk. The study highlighted variables
associated with family hydatidosis in urban and rural areas and the presence, within these
areas, of main socio-ecological conditions able to maintain endemic disease. The survey
showed that slaughter cattle are the species most affected by hydatidosis (10.2%) compared to
sheep (03%) and goats (7.6%) with a higher frequency of 'liver for the three species.
Fasciolosis is more frequent in cattle (5.77%) than in sheep (2.29%) and goats (1.65%). The
survey of GPs has shown that men are more affected by hydatidosis that women with a sex
ratio of 2 / 1, the lung damage is more frequent among younger than 18 years. Distomatose
cases of human Fasciola hepatica are relatively rare. Of the 117 doctors interviewed, only
9.24% of diagnosed cases of distomatose. The search of Fasciola hepatica is undertaken in
humans. Fasciolosis in ruminants should be treated to reduce economic losses. Strengthened
health vigilance seems therefore necessary to implement in the surveyed region for a better
control of the disease.
