TY - JOUR AU - Houmsou, Robert S. AU - Wama, Binga E. AU - Agere, Hemen AU - Uniga, John A. AU - Amuta, Elizabeth U. AU - Kela, Santaya L. PY - 2018/12/19 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study JF - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal JA - Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J VL - 18 IS - 3 SE - Original Studies DO - 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007 UR - https://journals.squ.edu.om/index.php/squmj/article/view/2850 SP - e304-310 AB - <p><em><strong>Objectives:</strong> </em>This study aimed to assess the efficacy of praziquantel in reducing urinary schistosomiasis prevalence, parasite burden and morbidity rates among a previously reported sample of <em>Schistosoma haematobium-</em>infected children. In addition, predisposing factors for reinfection one year post-treatment were also determined. <em><strong>Methods:</strong> </em>This prospective follow-up study was conducted between March 2014 and February 2015 among 675 previously reported children with urinary schistosomiasis in the Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo Kola, Taraba State, Nigeria. A single dose of 40 mg/kg of praziquantel was administered to each infected child, with a second dose administered one month later if necessary. The number of <em>S. haematobium</em> eggs in urine samples was calculated at baseline and post-treatment. <em><strong>Results:</strong> </em>At four weeks post-treatment, the overall cure rate was 98.1%. Among children with low and heavy parasite burdens at baseline, egg reduction rates (ERRs) were 100% and 96.5%, respectively. The vast majority of children with microhaematuria (98.7%) and proteinuria (98.6%) at baseline were cured at follow-up. Following a second dose, the ERR, overall and morbidity cure rates increased to 100%. At one year post-treatment, 272 infected children (40.3%) were re-assessed; of these, 51 children (18.8%) were reinfected. Close proximity to bodies of water (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.998–1.530; <em>P</em> = 0.05) and fishing (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 0.828–6.040; <em>P</em> = 0.01) were significant factors that predisposed children to reinfection. <em><strong>Conclusion: </strong></em>A moderate rate of reinfection was noted. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria should collaborate on mass treatment and health education campaigns to reduce the incidence of urinary schistosomiasis reinfections.</p><p><br /><em><strong>Keywords:</strong></em> Urinary Schistosomiasis; Praziquantel; Treatment Outcome; Follow-Up Study; Nigeria.</p> ER -