6533b858fe1ef96bd12b6194
RESEARCH PRODUCT
A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Jane KvalsvigEyrun Floerecke KjetlandA. MaphumuloA RandjelovicSvein Gunnar GundersenSilindile GagaiMyra TaylorS G FrønæsSiphosenkosi Gift ZuluM MunsamiLeiv Sandviksubject
medicine.medical_specialtybusiness.industryRural healtheducationPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthAlternative medicineSchistosomiasismedicine.diseaseSurgeryFamily medicinemedicineMass treatmentHealth educationParental consentFamily PracticebusinessMass drug administrationKwazulu nataldescription
Background: It has been estimated that 700 million people worldwide and 5.2 million people in South Africa are in need of annual treatment for schistosomiasis. In accordance with the current policy the Department of Health (DoH) in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, aimed to reach 75% treatment coverage in a mass treatment campaign (MTC) of schools in a schistosomiasis-endemic area.Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to explore the implementation, coverage, challenges and limitations of a DoH MTC in a middle-income country. The study was conducted by exploring nurses’ and research team records, school enrolment lists and parental consent forms.Results: Slightly more than 10 000 learners in 43 primary and high schools were treated, achieving treatment coverage of 44.3%. A median of two schools per day were visited over the course of 39 days. We found that older learners, being male and attending a large school were independent significant predictors for low treatment coverage.Conclusion: Our r...
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-02-18 | South African Family Practice |