Community-based chemotherapy for schistosomiasis using a pyrazinoisoquinoline (PZQ) in Southern Sierra Leone

ABSTRACT

The object of the study was the efficacy of Pyrazimoquinoline (Praziquantel) as an antischistosomicidal drug on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in a community-based chemotherapy trial. The study; which for the first time in Sierra Leone evaluated the efficcacy of Praziquantel; was undertaken in five (5) chiefdoms in Moyamba district. Parasitological surveys were conducted on 483 individuals; randomly selected by stratified sampling. Individuals found positive for S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection were treated with Praziquantel orally; at the recommended dose of 40mg/kg two weeks after parasitological examination. A follow-up parasitological survey to assess the impact of therapy was performed 10 weeks after the administration of the drug