Coverage and costs of a school deworming programme in 2007 targeting all primary schools in Lao PDR

Abstract

Infections with soil-transmitted helminths are among the commonest infections in Lao PDR. Recent investigation in this country determined that intestinal helminths currently infect the majority of school-aged children. The Lao Government has addressed the problem by organizing regular anti-helminthic chemotherapy with Mebendazole 500 mg for school and pre-school children in conjunction with health education activities incorporated into the national school curriculum.The school de-worming campaign in Lao PDR reached a national coverage rate of 95% at a cost of 0.124 USD/head for two rounds of de-worming per year. The programme is under the umbrella of the national school health programme.After one year (2 rounds of deworming) the intervention reduced the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides from 60% to 20% and of Trichuris trichiura from 42% to 31%.Although infection was not eliminated by the de-worming interventions, of those children who remain infected, over 90% had a 'light' infection. The virtual absence of high and moderate intensity infection demonstrates the effectiveness of periodical de-worming in reducing the morbidity due to STH. We expect that additional rounds of deworming will further reduce the STH prevalence in Lao PDR.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and risk factors in preschool children in southern rural Lao People's Democratic Republic

“…In 2008, the school deworming campaign reached a national coverage rate of 95% for two treatment rounds per year. 10 Given the infection prevalence and intensity identified in this study, the morbidity associated with these infections and the prevailing risk factors for STHs, preventive treatment is warranted in preschool-aged children. Therefore, in Lao PDR the school-based deworming programme should be extended to preschool children.…”

“…10,34 Additional health promotion on hygienic practices is essential to assure long-term benefits. 35 In Lao PDR, mass distribution of anthelminthic medicines in schools was started a few years ago.…”

“…This information has led to the nationwide school-based deworming campaigns with albendazole (400 mg) or mebendazole (500 mg) once a year. 10 Recent efforts have been directed at extending the intervention to preschool children aged 2-5 years as well as integrating vitamin A supplementation and vaccination. However, information on this age group is scarce.…”

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis: the relationship between prevalence and classes of intensity of infection

“…Table 2 summarizes the sample size, diagnostic method applied and the population surveyed. Details of the different surveys are reported elsewhere [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Laos: A Community-Wide Cross-Sectional Study of Humans and Dogs in a Mass Drug Administration Environment

“…8 Eight provinces have biannual treatment of 6-11-year-old children with a single dose of 500 mg of mebendazole, and the remaining nine provinces have an annual treatment. 8,9 Coverage in the highly endemic provinces was estimated to be greater than 98% in 2008 and greater than 93% for coverage across the whole country. 8 Activity of mebendazole against Ascaris lumbricoides remains high and historic cure rates are consistently greater than 90%.…”