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. 2024 May 2;19(5):e0301464.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301464. eCollection 2024.

Effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

Maryline Vere  1 , Wilma Ten Ham-Baloyi  1   2 , Paula Ezinne Melariri  2
Affiliations

Effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

Maryline Vere et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Preventive chemotherapy by mass drug administration is globally recommended as the primary method of reaching the elimination of schistosomiasis, especially in the high risk-paediatric population. This systematic review provides a summary of the effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programs on eliminating schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCOhost, and other databases to obtain studies regarding the effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. 3455 studies were screened for eligibility, included articles reported on both paediatrics control programmes and schistosomiasis, and articles were excluded when they did not report on schistosomiasis control programmes in paediatrics exclusively. 40 selected studies were critically appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools for relevance and 30 studies were included in the study. An in-depth quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted, and a comprehensive narrative summary explained the results within the scope of the review questions. The results show that despite preventive chemotherapy lowering schistosomiasis prevalence, chances of re-infection are high in endemic areas. Preventive chemotherapy without complementary interventions including safe water provision and proper sanitation, snail control and health education on the aetiology of schistosomiasis, transmission pattern and control practices might not eliminate schistosomiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA flow diagram.
Illustration of search and article selection [14].
Fig 2
Fig 2. An illustration of number of articles and publication years.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Study designs.
An illustration of different types of study designs of articles used in the review.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Diagnostic techniques.
An illustration of diagnostic techniques used to detect schistosomiasis in each country involved in the review displayed as the number of times conducted in studies. Different colours are a representation of each diagnostic technique.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Types of intervention strategy.
Illustration of the intervention strategy as school-based, community-based or both.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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