Controlling Schistosomiasis: Significant Decrease of Anaemia Prevalence One Year after a Single Dose of Praziquantel in Nigerien Schoolchildren

2008

Controlling Schistosomiasis: Decrease of Anaemia Prevalence in Nigerien Schoolchildren

Sample size: 1642 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tohon Zilahatou B., Mainassara Halima B., Garba Amadou, Mahamane Ali E., Bosqué-Oliva Elisa, Ibrahim Maman-Laminou, Duchemin Jean-Bernard, Chanteau Suzanne, Boisier Pascal

Primary Institution: CERMES/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger

Hypothesis

Does a single dose of praziquantel reduce the prevalence of anaemia in Nigerien schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma haematobium?

Conclusion

Treatment of schistosomiasis and de-worming led to a significant reduction in anaemia prevalence among schoolchildren in Niger.

Supporting Evidence

Before treatment, 75.4% of children were infected with S. haematobium.
One year after treatment, the prevalence of S. haematobium infection dropped to 38%.
The prevalence of anaemia decreased from 61.6% to 50.4% after treatment.
The mean haemoglobin level increased from 11 g/dl to 11.4 g/dl post-treatment.
Anaemia was significantly associated with P. falciparum infection.
Ultrasound abnormalities of the urinary tract decreased significantly after treatment.
Children with heavy-intensity infections showed a higher prevalence of anaemia.
Treatment was administered using a dose-pole for accurate dosing.

Takeaway

Giving medicine to kids in Niger helped them feel better and reduced the number of kids with low blood levels.

Methodology

The study involved pre-treatment and one-year follow-up examinations of schoolchildren, including interviews, urine tests, ultrasound examinations, and haemoglobin measurements.