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Dec 14, 2016Article Details
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Main Article Content
Targeted chemotherapy for parasite infestations in rural black preschool children
Abstract
Design. The study consisted of a before/after trial. Stool and urine samples were analysed on four occasions over a 21-week period.
Setting. Creches in two rural areas of southern _ Kwazulu/Natal (coastal and inland). Patients. Two hundred children of 4 - 6 years of age attending 19 creches in the area. Intervention. Targeted chemotherapy using albendazole for nematode infestations, praziquantel for trematode and cestode infestations and metronidazole for protozoal infections was administered twice at an interval of 14 weeks.
Main outcome measure. Prevalence rates.
Results. The prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus infestation decreased significantly after treatment. Reinfestation rates 12 weeks after treatment were 16% for A lumbricoides, 33% for T. trichiura, 24% for Giardia lamblia and 3% for N. americanus. No reinfestation was noted for Schistosoma haematobium, Hymenolepsis or Taenia species.
Conclusion. The study suggests that parasite prevalence rates in children can be reduced by the administration of appropriate chemotherapy at regular intervals. However, the provision of clean water and adequate sewerage facilities remains a high priority for black communities living in rural areas of South Africa.
