Impact of Mass Praziquantel Administration for Controlling Schistosoma haematobium Infection in Schoolchildren from Bamako, Mali

Background: Uro-genital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. For the control of the disease, the frequent and periodic use of mass praziquantel administration (MPA) is recommended. However, despite of several preventive chemotherapy campaigns implemented in Mali since 2005, schistosomiasis rests endemic in the district of Bamako. This study aimed to assess the impact of MPA on S. haematobium prevalence and intensity in schoolchildren from Bamako between 2011 and 2014.

Materials and Methods: From February to March 2014, a cross-sectional survey has been conducted in twenty-nine schools throughout the six municipalities (MI-VI) of Bamako. Urine samples (10 mL) were collected from 10 h to 14 h p.m. and examined for S. haematobium ova using the filtration technique.

Results: Of the 672 schoolchildren aged 8 to 15 years old, 349 (51.9%) were males and 323 (48.1%) were females. The prevalence of the infection was 16.2% (109/672) (CI95%; 16,1-16,3). The geometric mean egg count (GMEC) was 0.1639. Notwithstanding MPA strategy implementation, the infection rates were comparable (p=0.46), despite of the globally increase of infection ranged from 14.7% in 2011 to 16.2% in 2014. At the same period, now the prevalence significantly decreased in M-II (p=0.018), now it increased in M-V (p=0.0039). The intensity of infection was uniform across the age groups, sex, the various municipalities and the Niger River banks (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings show a mitigated overcome of the MPA strategy on S. haematobium prevalence in the urban area of Bamako. So, persistent prevalence of infection suggest that besides periodic drug distribution, introduction of proper sanitation is imperative among the communities especially around the Niger River banks and its tributaries in order to curtail the transmission and morbidity caused by schistosomiasis in this area.