From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program
Objectives: Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains a public health challenge in Rwanda despite ongoing interventions. This paper provides an overview of Rwanda's SCH journey, highlighting progress made through mass drug administration (MDA), diagnostic advancements, and strategic partnerships with key s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971225000232 |
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| author | Nshimiyimana Ladislas Mbituyumuremyi Aimable Ower Alison Jean Bosco Mbonigaba Bayisenge Ursin Waltz Johannes Palacio Karen Ruberanziza Eugene |
| author_facet | Nshimiyimana Ladislas Mbituyumuremyi Aimable Ower Alison Jean Bosco Mbonigaba Bayisenge Ursin Waltz Johannes Palacio Karen Ruberanziza Eugene |
| author_sort | Nshimiyimana Ladislas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains a public health challenge in Rwanda despite ongoing interventions. This paper provides an overview of Rwanda's SCH journey, highlighting progress made through mass drug administration (MDA), diagnostic advancements, and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. Methods: Since 2014, the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POCCCA) test has been introduced alongside Kato-Katz (KK), improving mapping accuracy and detecting low-intensity infections. Geographic information systems further identified hotspots. The program expanded MDA coverage, integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and adopted One Health (OH) approaches to address socio-environmental drivers. Results: More sensitive diagnostics enabled targeted interventions. Expanded MDA and tailored Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strengthened SCH control. Key future priorities include piloting interruption of transmission in select areas, enhancing WASH measures, implementing focal snail control, and piloting pediatric praziquantel for treatment of SCH in preschool-aged children (PSAC). Conclusions: Rwanda's data-driven and integrated strategies, coupled with OH collaboration, exemplify a robust model for eliminating SCH as a public health problem. These efforts, aligned with the WHO 2030 targets, position Rwanda as a leader in SCH elimination and offer a replicable framework for other endemic regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e94cd2c51fc94cb58d789af60aad29f7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1201-9712 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-e94cd2c51fc94cb58d789af60aad29f72025-08-20T02:11:00ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases1201-97122025-03-0115210779910.1016/j.ijid.2025.107799From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis programNshimiyimana Ladislas0Mbituyumuremyi Aimable1Ower Alison2Jean Bosco Mbonigaba3Bayisenge Ursin4Waltz Johannes5Palacio Karen6Ruberanziza Eugene7Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, RwandaRwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, RwandaThe END Fund, New York, USARwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda; University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaUniversity of Global Health Equity, Kigali, RwandaMerck Sereno Ltd., Felltham, UK, an affiliate of Merck KGaAThe END Fund, New York, USAThe END Fund, New York, USA; Correspondence author.Objectives: Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains a public health challenge in Rwanda despite ongoing interventions. This paper provides an overview of Rwanda's SCH journey, highlighting progress made through mass drug administration (MDA), diagnostic advancements, and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. Methods: Since 2014, the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POCCCA) test has been introduced alongside Kato-Katz (KK), improving mapping accuracy and detecting low-intensity infections. Geographic information systems further identified hotspots. The program expanded MDA coverage, integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and adopted One Health (OH) approaches to address socio-environmental drivers. Results: More sensitive diagnostics enabled targeted interventions. Expanded MDA and tailored Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strengthened SCH control. Key future priorities include piloting interruption of transmission in select areas, enhancing WASH measures, implementing focal snail control, and piloting pediatric praziquantel for treatment of SCH in preschool-aged children (PSAC). Conclusions: Rwanda's data-driven and integrated strategies, coupled with OH collaboration, exemplify a robust model for eliminating SCH as a public health problem. These efforts, aligned with the WHO 2030 targets, position Rwanda as a leader in SCH elimination and offer a replicable framework for other endemic regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971225000232SchistosomiasisMass drug administrationOne healthPOCCCARwanda biomedical centerThe END Fund |
| spellingShingle | Nshimiyimana Ladislas Mbituyumuremyi Aimable Ower Alison Jean Bosco Mbonigaba Bayisenge Ursin Waltz Johannes Palacio Karen Ruberanziza Eugene From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program International Journal of Infectious Diseases Schistosomiasis Mass drug administration One health POCCCA Rwanda biomedical center The END Fund |
| title | From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program |
| title_full | From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program |
| title_fullStr | From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program |
| title_full_unstemmed | From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program |
| title_short | From mapping to elimination: A comprehensive overview of Rwanda's schistosomiasis program |
| title_sort | from mapping to elimination a comprehensive overview of rwanda s schistosomiasis program |
| topic | Schistosomiasis Mass drug administration One health POCCCA Rwanda biomedical center The END Fund |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971225000232 |
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