Control of Schistosoma mansoni by the soapberry Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) in Wollo, northeastern Ethiopia: post-intervention prevalence.
OBJECTIVE
To record the effect of Endod soap and spraying of soaked Endod suspension on the prevalence of human schistosomiasis.


METHODS
A cross-sectional epidemiological study in which pre- and post-intervention parasitological results were compared.


METHODS
Kemise, Bati and Harbu towns in northeastern Ethiopia.


METHODS
The study subjects included all members of the five per cent households systematically selected from the three towns.


RESULTS
In Kemise town, where suspension of ground Endod was sprayed on the stream containing infected snails, the prevalence of the disease was reduced from 59% to 53% and the mean intensity of infection was reduced from 239 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces to 99 EPG (p < 0.05). In Bati town where Endod soap approach was used, the respective reduction in the prevalence and intensity of infection was from 51% to 43% and from 195 EPG to 162 EPG (p < 0.05). There was also a significant reduction of the disease in the control town probably due to the effects of praziquantel treatment and other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction achieved in the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis after an intervention period of four years was limited. This observation corroborates the fact that molluscicides must always be considered as supplementary to chemotherapy in the control of schistosomiasis. Although both approaches can be used, the spraying approach appears to be simpler and more feasible because two or three times yearly application of Endod suspension would suppress snail population and reduce transmission. Nevertheless, the choice as to what approach to use must be made on the basis of community preference, and for some soap-effect of Endod would be attractive
Erko
B
B
Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abebe
F
F
Berhe
N
N
Medhin
G
G
Gebre-Michael
T
T
Gemetchu
T
T
Gundersen
S G
SG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005002:Ethiopia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007846:Laundering; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008975:Molluscacides; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D029605:Phytolacca dodecandra; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology*; D012915:Soaps; D013535:Suspensions
D008975:Molluscacides; D012915:Soaps; D013535:Suspensions