Background: Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma that depend on snail intermediate hosts for their life cycle, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease of great public health and socioeconomic significance. Most studies on Schistosomiasis are only prevalence data and not purposefully conducted for interventional programmes. There is a need to access the possible intervention impact as the Nation moves towards the elimination of Schistosomiasis. This study was designed to assess the prevalence and efficacy of PZQ and post-treatment reinfection among SAC and adolescent population in an endemic Community (Ayadi, Irele Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 School Aged Children (SAC) and adolescents at Ayadi, Irele 3 Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
Results: The prevalence of Schistosomiasis at baseline was 65% which dropped to 12.01 % following 4 weeks post-treatment and unfortunately out of the participants that tested positive at baseline and negative at 4 weeks post-treatment with PZQ, 13.75 % of them already got infected 6 months post PZQ single use. A significant Egg Reduction Rate (86.49 %) and Cure Rate (87.91 %) were obtained in this study.
Conclusion: Treatment with a single dose of 40 mg/kg of PZQ produced a significant result against Schistosomiasis. However, there was a high reinfection rate due to the lack of safe water. Recommendations: The Schistosomiasis elimination program should be redesigned to accommodate double dose treatment with PZQ and also ensure treatment across all endemic wards without having to sectionalize treatment across moderately and lowly endemic wards.