The WHO dose pole for the administration of praziquantel is also accurate in non-African populations.
In 2001, WHO developed a pole for the administration of praziquantel without the use of weighing scales, with encouraging results in African populations. In the present study, the pole was tested on height/weight data from 9354 individuals from 11 non-African countries. In more than 98% of the individuals (95% CI 97.8-98.4) the pole estimated an acceptable dosage (30-60 mg/kg), a performance statistically similar to that observed in African populations. Reproducing the present pole in the form of a strip of paper and including it in each container of praziquantel would greatly facilitate the administration of the drug in large-scale interventions.
Montresor
A
A
Vectorborne and other Parasitic Diseases, World Health Organization, 63 Tran Hung Dao Street, Mail P.O. Box 52, Hanoi, Viet Nam. montresora@vtn.wpro.who.int
Odermatt
P
P
Muth
S
S
Iwata
F
F
Raja'a
Y A
YA
Assis
A M
AM
Zulkifli
A
A
Kabatereine
N B
NB
Fenwick
A
A
Al-Awaidy
S
S
Allen
H
H
Engels
D
D
Savioli
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014944:World Health Organization
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel