The combined effect of the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme and the Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis Control Programme on soil-transmitted helminthiasis in schoolchildren in Tanzania.
The combined effect of the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme (LFEP) and the National Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis Control Programme (NSSCP) on soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) was evaluated. In September 2004, before mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole by the LFEP in October, the prevalence and intensity of STH were recorded in 228 pupils in one primary school. After 8 months, all available pupils were re-examined, and the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm had decreased from 0.9 to 0.7% (P=0.84), from 4.8 to 0.7% (P=0.004) and from 45.6 to 11.9% (P<0.001), respectively. Overall, 81.2% of the schoolchildren stated that they were treated by the LFEP in October 2004. After the 8 months follow-up, pupils were treated with praziquantel and albendazole by the present project (substitute for the NSSCP). After another 4 months (at 12 months follow-up), the prevalence of hookworm infection was reduced to 4.8% (P=0.003), while the prevalence of T. trichiura was reduced to 0.3% (P=0.54) and the prevalence of A. lumbricoides remained unchanged. Mass co-administration of ivermectin and albendazole by the LFEP had a significant effect on STH, which was further amplified by treatment with praziquantel and albendazole 4 months later.
Massa
Khalid
K
School of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 1475, Tanga, Tanzania. kmkmassa@yahoo.com
Magnussen
Pascal
P
Sheshe
Amir
A
Ntakamulenga
Robert
R
Ndawi
Benedict
B
Olsen
Annette
A
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D012987:Soil; D011223:Praziquantel; D007559:Ivermectin; D015766:Albendazole