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Are we on our way to achieving the 2020 goals for schistosomiasis morbidity control using current World Health Organization guidelines?

Abstract:

Background

Schistosomiasis remains an endemic parasitic disease affecting millions of people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set goals of controlling morbidity to be reached by 2020, along with elimination as a public health problem in certain regions by 2025. Mathematical models of parasite transmission and treatment impact have been developed to assist in controlling the morbidity caused by schistosomiasis. These models can inform and guide implementation policy for mass drug administration programs, and help design monitoring and evaluation activities.

Methods

We use these models to predict whether the guidelines set by the WHO are on track for achieving their 2020 goal for the control of morbidity, specifically for Schistosoma mansoni. We examine whether programmatic adaptations; namely increases in treatment coverage and/or expansion to adult inclusion in treatment, will improve the likelihood of reaching the WHO goals.

Results

We find that in low-prevalence settings, the goals are likely to be attainable under current WHO guidelines, but in moderate to high-prevalence settings, the goals are less likely to be achieved unless treatment coverage is increased and expanded to at least 85% for school-aged children and 40% for adults.

Conclusions

To improve the likelihood of reaching the WHO goals, programmatic adaptations are required, particularly for moderate- to high-prevalence settings. Furthermore, improvements in adherence to treatment, potential development of candidate vaccines, and enhanced snail control and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) measures will all assist in achieving the goals.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1093/cid/ciy001

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
NDM; Tropical Medicine
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-8428-3874


Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Journal:
Clinical Infectious Diseases More from this journal
Volume:
66
Issue:
S4
Pages:
S245-S252
Publication date:
2018-06-01
Acceptance date:
2018-01-06
DOI:
EISSN:
1537-6591
ISSN:
1058-4838
Pmid:
29860290


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:856578
UUID:
uuid:18d0e923-3fc5-4e46-b8e6-718c23e16e0f
Local pid:
pubs:856578
Source identifiers:
856578
Deposit date:
2018-06-09

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