Search

Simple Summary: This study assessed the effect of a school deworming program on Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm) which started in 2002 in Tanzania. Mbulu district was selected because several studies including clinical trials were conducted in the district. Despite the school deworming and intervention conducted, the area is reported with high human T. solium cysticercosis and related epileptic cases. We assessed the deworming performed by the local government in collaboration with the Neglected Tropical Disease Control (NTD) program among school children. The infection by age, sex, and household along with community and risk factors were assessed. High human T. solium cysticercosis was reported along with high household and community risk factors. The deworming seemed to have positive effect amongyounger age groups but with no significant difference in other, older age groups. This shows that there is a re-infection of younger age groups compared to untreated adults. Thus, it is recommended to scale up deworming to adult age groups. Background: Taeniosis and cysticercosis are human infections caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This study is a baseline for community-based intervention. We determined the prevalence of human cysticercosis and associated risk factors following a deworming program conducted throughout the country, with Mbulu District being among the districts in Northern Tanzania. Methods: Human cysticercosis was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag- ELISA). Household interviews and observations were conducted to identify risk factors for cysticercosis transmissions among households and communities. Results: Three hundred individuals participated in this study. The age ranged from 5 to 89 years, with a median of 19 years. The prevalence of human cysticercosis was 23 (7.67%). The prevalence was high with 6 (11.76%) among individuals aged 26 to 35 years and ±45 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence by age group, sex, or occupation. Among the 300 participants, 82 (27.3%) had received anthelmintics during the previous year; among these, 5 (21.7%) were infected. The likelihood of infection was low among anthelmintic users by 28% [0.72 (0.26–2.01)], but the protection was not significant. The communities differed in risk factors on the availability of a clean and safe water supply; 52.7% (46/86) of households visited had no pit latrine. The cysticercosis prevalence showed a significant difference in communities. Conclusions: The prevalence of human cysticercosis was high and associated with higher age groups. The prevalence was low among those who had taken anthelmintics and was associated with lower age groups. The current school deworming program has a positive effect on school children, while the elderly are at higher risk because the intervention did not target them. It is recommended to scale up anthelmintic intervention to higher age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pork tapeworm is a neglected tropical disease. Countries endemic to neglected tropical diseases have antihelmintic interventions; the effect is not positive for tapeworms. Furthermore; little information on the increased coverage and rounds of antihelmintic regarding the elimination of human and porcine cysticercosis within existing service infrastructure and risk factors. Objective: We conducted a community intervention using albendazole to target human and porcine cysticercosis in three communities in Mbulu District. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Mbulu District. We conducted community meetings that involved heads of households prior to albendazole administration with an education package on disease transmission and prevention. The study participants for pre and post were not the same but from the same communities. The cysticercosis apDia Ag ELISA was used for the determination of human cysticercosis; pigs were examined by the lingual palpitation method. Results: A total of 600 participants were recruited; 300 before intervention and 300 after intervention for human cysticercosis. The effect of intervention showed a decrease in human cysticercosis in both arms. For two rounds of albendazole intervention, it decreased by 7.3%. While for one albendazole round decreased by 0.94. The control arm showed a decrease of 9.96%. A total of 510 pigs were conveniently sampled were 267 were sampled during pre-intervention and 243 were sampled during post-intervention. There was a decrease of 14.76% in two rounds of intervention while at one round of intervention there was a decrease by 0.76; the decrease was not significant with reference to the control. Conclusion: The prevalence of cysticercosis decreased; the decrease is more for communities with high baseline prevalence; there was no significant difference in intervention arms when compared with control. Hygiene and sanitation were experienced in all communities during COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The human and porcine cysticercosis infection has been observed to be high for years in Mbulu District-Tanzania. A Health education intervention study was conducted in the area targeting the parasite; furthermore, a mass drug administration program is conducted by local authorities using albendazole and praziquantel for intestinal worms for school children. It has been a long time to have information on the current status of prevalence and community risk factors. Objective: We report on cysticercosis prevalence following ongoing annual antihelmintic intervention in Mbulu rural communities in Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical community-based study was conducted; Human cysticercosis was determined by Ag ELISA. A total of 89 households were visited which resulted in 300 participants being recruited for blood samples; serum was prepared for the Antigen ELISA test using a cysticercosis ApDia test kit. A lingual palpitation method was used to discern the porcine cysticercosis infection status. Observations on household and community risk factors for cysticercosis infection were done. Results: Human cysticercosis was found to be 23(7.67%) of 300 were positive by cysticercosis apDia Ag ELISA. The infection was low among those who reported that they have taken anthelmintics (Albendazole or praziquantel) though the protection was not statistically significant odds ratio of o0.72(0.26-2.01). A total of 267 pigs were tested of which 128 were tested during the rainy season and 139 during the dry season. Seventeen (13.28%) of 128 were positive during the rainy season and 7(5.03%) of 139 tested positive during the dry season and the results are statistically significant season-wise [odds ratio 2.88 (95% CI of 1.16-7.22)]. The community risks of infections were high. Conclusion: The cysticercosis targeted community timed intervention using anthelmintics combined with education on disease transmission and prevention during the rainy season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]