TY - JOUR
T1 - Simultaneous administration of praziquantel, ivermectin and albendazole, in a community in rural northern Ghana endemic for schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis
AU - Anto, Francis
AU - Asoala, Victor
AU - Anyorigiya, Thomas
AU - Oduro, Abraham
AU - Adjuik, Martin
AU - Akweongo, Patricia
AU - Aborigo, Raymond
AU - Bimi, Langbong
AU - Amankwa, Joseph
AU - Hodgson, Abraham
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - Objectives To compare (i) side effects associated with the simultaneous adminstration of praziquantel, albendazole and ivermectin with side affects associated with albendazole and ivermectin only and (ii) coverage by volunteers distributing three or two drugs. Methods Two-arm comparative study in northern Ghana integrated praziquantel distribution into an existing lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis control programme using Community Directed Distributors. The control arm continued to distribute only ivermectin and albendazole. Dosages of ivermectin and praziquantel were based on height. Treatment was directly observed, and all two/three drugs were co-administered. Adverse effects were recorded based on passive surveillance. Parasitological, anthropometric and haematological data were collected at baseline. Results Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among 1001 (boys: 47.9% girls: 52.1%) school-age children (6-15years) [intervention: 30.0% (CI: 23.1-34.2); control: 23.0% (CI: 18.9-27.0)], mean haemoglobin, weight and age were similar among the intervention and control groups. While 1676 (99.1%) compounds in the control area were visited and 15020 (96.58%) people were treated, only 1375 (88.5%) compounds in the intervention area were visited and 8454 (80.97%) people treated (P<0.001). The numbers of adverse effects were similar (intervention: 50/6896; control: 130/15020). The most reported adverse effects was headache (intervention: 14/50; control: 13/130), followed by body weakness, which was reported more from the intervention group (intervention: 13/50, 95% CI: 14.6-40.3; control: 6/130, 95% CI: 1.7-9.8]. Sixty-six per cent (6896/10441) of the eligible population received praziquantel. Conclusions Reported adverse events were mild and managed at the subdistrict level with no cases of hospitalization; intensive health education will, however, be required to improve coverage.
AB - Objectives To compare (i) side effects associated with the simultaneous adminstration of praziquantel, albendazole and ivermectin with side affects associated with albendazole and ivermectin only and (ii) coverage by volunteers distributing three or two drugs. Methods Two-arm comparative study in northern Ghana integrated praziquantel distribution into an existing lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis control programme using Community Directed Distributors. The control arm continued to distribute only ivermectin and albendazole. Dosages of ivermectin and praziquantel were based on height. Treatment was directly observed, and all two/three drugs were co-administered. Adverse effects were recorded based on passive surveillance. Parasitological, anthropometric and haematological data were collected at baseline. Results Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among 1001 (boys: 47.9% girls: 52.1%) school-age children (6-15years) [intervention: 30.0% (CI: 23.1-34.2); control: 23.0% (CI: 18.9-27.0)], mean haemoglobin, weight and age were similar among the intervention and control groups. While 1676 (99.1%) compounds in the control area were visited and 15020 (96.58%) people were treated, only 1375 (88.5%) compounds in the intervention area were visited and 8454 (80.97%) people treated (P<0.001). The numbers of adverse effects were similar (intervention: 50/6896; control: 130/15020). The most reported adverse effects was headache (intervention: 14/50; control: 13/130), followed by body weakness, which was reported more from the intervention group (intervention: 13/50, 95% CI: 14.6-40.3; control: 6/130, 95% CI: 1.7-9.8]. Sixty-six per cent (6896/10441) of the eligible population received praziquantel. Conclusions Reported adverse events were mild and managed at the subdistrict level with no cases of hospitalization; intensive health education will, however, be required to improve coverage.
KW - Albendazole
KW - Ivermectin
KW - Lymphatic filariasis
KW - Onchocerciasis
KW - Praziquantel
KW - Schistosomiasis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79961172736&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02814.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02814.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21689221
AN - SCOPUS:79961172736
SN - 1360-2276
VL - 16
SP - 1112
EP - 1119
JO - Tropical Medicine and International Health
JF - Tropical Medicine and International Health
IS - 9
ER -