Evaluation of mass drug administration for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Bankass, Mali.
Int J Infect Dis
; 112: 196-201, 2021 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34481965
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In 2004, Mali implemented mass drug administration (MDA) aimed at controlling schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths. Despite several rounds of MDA, the health district of Bankass reported low coverage (64.8%) for praziquantel and albendazole in 2017, meaning that this district was still facing challenges in accomplishing the targeted 75% coverage. This study aimed to explore the barriers and gaps that hindered MDA implementation in Bankass.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was performed. Questionnaires were administrated to all school-aged children in randomly selected villages. Technical directors of community health centers and community drug distributors in the selected villages were included in the interviews.RESULTS:
A total of 2128 children and 52 health workers were interviewed. Coverage rates were 93.51% (1990/2128) for praziquantel and 95.25% (2027/2128) for albendazole. Among the untreated children, 31.63% (31/98) reported being unaware of the campaign and 26.53% (26/98) were unable to reach the distribution points. Most of the health workers suggested increasing incentives.CONCLUSION:
The data showed satisfactory coverage >90%, in contrast with lower rates initially reported by the district health information system. These results raise concerns about the reliability of programmatic data and highlight the importance of population-based surveys for the evaluation of control interventions.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Schistosomiasis
/
Helminthiasis
/
Helminths
/
Anthelmintics
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article