A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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 c...

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Main Authors: A. Randjelovic, S. G. Frønæs, M. Munsami, J. D. Kvalsvig, S. G. Zulu, S. Gagai, A. Maphumulo, L. Sandvik, S. G. Gundersen, Eyrun F. Kjetland, M. Taylor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2015-04-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4127
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author A. Randjelovic
S. G. Frønæs
M. Munsami
J. D. Kvalsvig
S. G. Zulu
S. Gagai
A. Maphumulo
L. Sandvik
S. G. Gundersen
Eyrun F. Kjetland
M. Taylor
author_facet A. Randjelovic
S. G. Frønæs
M. Munsami
J. D. Kvalsvig
S. G. Zulu
S. Gagai
A. Maphumulo
L. Sandvik
S. G. Gundersen
Eyrun F. Kjetland
M. Taylor
author_sort A. Randjelovic
collection DOAJ
description 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 results indicate a much lower coverage than recommended by the South African National Department of Health and World Health Organization (WHO). Coverage would likely increase through improved consent procedures and repeated schools visits. Further information is needed on how to increase compliance in older teenagers, males and learners in large schools. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2015; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2014.978121
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spelling doaj-art-b2a7eea4137a443e92abb9ab64fdc0312025-08-20T03:43:46ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042015-04-0157210.4102/safp.v57i2.41274903A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaA. Randjelovic0S. G. Frønæs1M. Munsami2J. D. Kvalsvig3S. G. Zulu4S. Gagai5A. Maphumulo6L. Sandvik7S. G. Gundersen8Eyrun F. KjetlandM. Taylor9University of OsloUniversity of OsloDepartment of HealthUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalOslo University HospitalUniversity of AgderUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBackground: 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 results indicate a much lower coverage than recommended by the South African National Department of Health and World Health Organization (WHO). Coverage would likely increase through improved consent procedures and repeated schools visits. Further information is needed on how to increase compliance in older teenagers, males and learners in large schools. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2015; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2014.978121https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4127health educationmass drug administrationmass-treatmenttreatmentrural healthhealth educationpraziquantelschistosomiasis
spellingShingle A. Randjelovic
S. G. Frønæs
M. Munsami
J. D. Kvalsvig
S. G. Zulu
S. Gagai
A. Maphumulo
L. Sandvik
S. G. Gundersen
Eyrun F. Kjetland
M. Taylor
A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South African Family Practice
health education
mass drug administration
mass-treatment
treatment
rural health
health education
praziquantel
schistosomiasis
title A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_full A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_fullStr A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_short A study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_sort study of hurdles in mass treatment of schistosomiasis in kwazulu natal south africa
topic health education
mass drug administration
mass-treatment
treatment
rural health
health education
praziquantel
schistosomiasis
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4127
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