Urinary Schistosomiasis Control Programme: a case study of some selected school children in the Lower Volta Basin

Abstract

A Schistosomiasis Control Programme was initiated in selected communities in the Lower Volta Basin among school children to assess the disease situation 30 years after the construction of the Akosombo Dam. It combined two tools, chemotherapy and health education. The work was carried out in selected communities in the Lower Volta Basin (Asutsuare, Adidome, Tsetsekpo, Agbeve, Dalive, Mepe, Big Ada and Ada Foah) from October 1997 to October 1998. Prevalence rates were first determined before selective chemotherapy; the gains of chemotherapy were maintained with health education which involved the use of a song and picture booklet. Prevalence rates at baseline of 3.6 - 41.7 per cent were reduced to 0.0-15.6 per cent after chemotherapy, showing a cure rate of 80-84 per cent. The parameters after baseline studies were investigated 3, 6 and 9 months after intervention. A combination of chemotherapy, using praziquantel and health education, has proven to be successful in controlling schistosomiasis in the Lower Volta Basin area.

Ghana Journal of Science Vol. 45, 2005: 3-8