Effect on weight gain of routinely giving albendazole to preschool children during child health days in Uganda: cluster randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effectiveness of delivering an anthelmintic through a community child health programme on the weight gain of preschool children in Uganda.


METHODS
Cluster randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Eastern Uganda.


METHODS
48 parishes participating in a new programme for child health: 24 offered children an additional service of anthelmintic treatment. The outcome is based on measurements from 27,995 children.


METHODS
Treatment of children aged between 1 and 7 years with 400 mg albendazole added to standard services offered during child health days over a three year period.


METHODS
Weight gain.


RESULTS
The provision of periodic anthelmintic treatment as a part of child health services in Uganda resulted in an increase in weight gain of about 10% (166 g per child per year, 95% confidence interval 16 to 316) above expected weight gain when treatments were given twice a year, and an increase of 5% when the treatment was given annually.


CONCLUSIONS
Deworming of preschool children in Uganda as part of regularly scheduled health services seems practical and associated with increased weight gain.
Alderman
Harold
H
World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA. halderman@worldbank.org
Konde-Lule
Joseph
J
Sebuliba
Isaac
I
Bundy
Donald
D
Hall
Andrew
A
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014454:Uganda; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole