[Can we overcome schistosomiasis? A Senegalese example]

Abstract

The authors report the results of controlling schistosomiasis in 53 villages from Ninefecha area-(Kedougou District, East Senegal) within Schistosomiasis National Control Program partnership. The four aims were: i) praziquantel treatment of 3324 children 6-14 years old, ii) installation of a laboratory for children prevalence annual monitoring (random draw one in three), iii) health education of the concerned people ("sensitization"), iiii) construction of latrines. 900 latrines are required and 649 have been built. The initial prevalence (2006) of 44% for S. mansoni and 4% for S. haematobium are now respectively 1.9% and 1.4% (2013). The program must be continuous as shown in the Assoni village: a prevalence study in children 0-5 years old, for which praziquantel is not recommended, reveals an infestation rate for S. mansoni of 78% in 2008 and of 47% in 2012. This age group is an important parasite reservoir and health education of parents is absolutely necessary. A permanent and effective center like Ninefescha hospital for distribution of praziquantel, sensitization meetings and latrines control is essential for the success of the program.

Keywords: Children; East Senegal; Epidemiology; Kédougou; Latrine; Ninefecha; Praziquantel; S. haematobium; S. mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Sub-Saharan Africa.