title: [The effect of ivermectin on geohelminth frequency (i.e. as used in the onchocerciasis control program in Colombia)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluating the effect of ivermectin on soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) infection frequency in a Colombian population included in the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an impact evaluation study which adopted a longitudinal approach using the population of Naicioná (1996) as baseline for comparison to people from the same population as controls (2008). The cross-sectional approach involved comparing the reference population of Naicioná (2008) to the population of Dos Quebradas (2008) used as controls. Fecal samples were processed by a modified Ritchie-Frick method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequently found parasite in Naicioná (60/121; 49.6 %: 37.8-63.895%CI) and in Dos Quebradas (36/76; 47.4 %: 33.2-65.6 95 % CI). Ivermectin's main effect on the population aged over 5 years was a decreased risk of Trichiuris trichiura infection in both longitudinal assessment (86 % reduction: 74-93 95 % CI) and cross-sectional assessment (63 %:24-82 95 % CI). A 93 % reduction (45-99 95 % CI) in Strongyloides stercoralis frequency was found in longitudinal assessment, compared to 85 % in cross-sectional assessment (-031-99 95 % CI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ivermectin use in the OEPA is not sufficient for STH morbidity control. Integrated programs including education and basic sanitation are required.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. raknudsono@unal.edu.co
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knudson
authors.forename: Yoseth
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ariza
authors.forename: Myriam C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Oscar S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Fajardo
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Ligia I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Moncada
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duque
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Álvarez
authors.forename: Rubén S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin