Praziquantel treatment coverage among school age children against schistosomiasis associated factors and in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey, 2019

Background: World Health Organization estimated that 779 million people are at risk of getting schistosomiasis and 240 million people were infected worldwide. Schistosomiasis due to S. mansoni is a wide public health problem in Ethiopia. The aim of the survey was to quantify national and district disaggregated treatment coverage status for schistosomiasis and compare validated coverage with the one reported. Methods: Community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2019 among households with school age children (5-14 years) in seven purposively selected districts of the country. Segments (villages within the selected kebele) to be surveyed were randomly selected and households to be interviewed from each segment were determined using systematic sampling technique. A total of 3,378 households visited and 5,679 school age children (5-14 years)) were interviewed.Results: Overall reported treatment coverage of schistosomiasis was 4286 (75.5%). Male SAC were 27% more likely to consume the drug (AOR= 1.27; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.47) than females. SAC with 10-14 years swallowed the drug 45% better than 5-9 years (AOR =1.45; 95%CI: 1.25, 1.69). Statistically significant association was observed between Praziquantel swallowing with school enrollment and heard about mass drug administration. Swallowing status of Praziquantel against schistosomiasis significantly higher for SAC treated in districts applied integrated treatment approach (87.5%) compared with SAC treated in vertical approach (72.5%). Reasons for not taking the drug were asked and the main reported reason for not swallowing Praziquantel in the present study was none attending of the school.Conclusion and recommendation Over all treatment coverage of Praziquantel against schistosomiasis in the present study was 75.5%. Although it is in accordance with WHO recommendation for Ethiopia, national programmatic improvements are necessary to achieve higher coverage. To increase treatment coverage of Praziquantel in Ethiopia, school based training should target all schools and mobilization, sensitization and implementation of the community wide treatment need to be improved.