title: Chemotherapy-based control of ascariasis and hookworm in highly endemic areas of China: field observations and a modeling analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to systematically evaluate chemotherapy-based control of ascariasis and hookworm infection and make predictions of the effectiveness of repeated mass treatment at different levels of coverage in highly endemic areas of China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Field surveys were carried out to acquire the ascariasis and hookworm prevalence and intensity (mean worm burden) at baseline, one month and one year later. We calculated model parameters based on the survey data, then incorporated them into a quantitative framework to predict the prevalence and intensity one year later. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the influence of the chemotherapy measures on prevalence and intensity, and model simulations were performed to evaluate the feasibility of achieving the proposed transmission control criteria under different chemotherapy measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The predicted prevalence and intensity one year from baseline were within the 95% confidence interval of actual values. As treatment frequency or coverage increased, the prevalence and intensity decreased. Model simulations show that many rounds of treatment are needed to maintain the prevalence at a low level in highly endemic areas of China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We should select different combinations of treatment frequency, coverage and drug efficacy according to available resources and practical attainable conditions. Mathematical modeling could be used to help optimize the chemotherapeutic scheme aiming at specific parasitic species and areas, and to direct the establishment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis control criteria in China.
authors: National Institute of Parasitic Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Hua Zhong
authors: HZ
authors: Li
authors: Ying Dan
authors: YD
authors: Chen
authors: Chang Hua
authors: CH
authors: Liu
authors: Lin Hua
authors: LH
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics