The global progress of soil-transmitted helminthiases control in 2020 and World Health Organization targets for 2030

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the most widespread of the neglected tropical diseases, primarily affecting marginalized populations in low- and middle-income countries. More than one billion people are currently infected with STHs. For the control of these infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an integrated approach, which includes access to appropriate sanitation, hygiene education, and preventive chemotherapy (i.e., large-scale, periodic distribution of anthelmintic drugs). Since 2010, WHO has coordinated two large donations of benzimidazoles to endemic countries. Thus far, more than 3.3 billion benzimidazole tablets have been distributed in schools for the control of STH infections, resulting in an important reduction in STH-attributable morbidity in children, while additional tablets have been distributed for the control of lymphatic filariasis. This paper (i) summarizes the progress of global STH control between 2008 to 2018 (based on over 690 reports submitted by endemic countries to WHO); (ii) provides regional and country details on preventive chemotherapy coverage; and (iii) indicates the targets identified by WHO for the next decade and the tools that should be developed to attain these targets. The main message is that STH-attributable morbidity can be averted with evidence-informed program planning, implementation, and monitoring. Caution will still need to be exercised in stopping control programs to avoid any rebound of prevalence and loss of accrued morbidity gains. Over the next decade, with increased country leadership and multi-sector engagement, the goal of eliminating STH infections as a public health problem can be achieved.

Fig 1. Trends in PC coverage in preschool-age children for STH between 2010 and 2018, by WHO region.

Data are presented globally and stratified by WHO region (AFR = African Region; AMR = Region of the Americas; EMR = Eastern Mediterranean Region; EUR European Region; SEAR = South East Asian Region; WPR Western Pacific Region).

Fig 2. Number of school-age children in need of PC treated between 2008 and 2018, and coverage of PC in this age group.

Fig 3. Progress in PC coverage of school-age children for STH between 2010 and 2018.

Data are presented globally and stratified by WHO region (AFR = African Region; AMR = Region of the Americas; EMR = Eastern Mediterranean Region; EUR European Region; SEAR = South East Asian Region; WPR Western Pacific Region).