Pilot Study of the Addition of Mass Treatment for Malaria to Existing School-Based Programs to Treat Neglected Tropical Diseases

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0590
• Publication Date: 2017-11-17T10:15:29Z
• Authors: Lauren M. Cohee; Moses Chilombe; Andrew Ngwira; Samuel K. Jemu; Don P. Mathanga; Miriam K. Laufer
• Keywords: Artemether/lumefantrine; Artemether; Neglected Tropical Diseases; Tolerability; Mass drug administration; Tropical Medicine; Tropical disease

Malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including schistosomiasis soil transmitted helminths, threaten the health of school aged in sub-Saharan Africa. Established school-based mass drug administration (MDA) programs are used to control NTDs. Recent clinical trials have shown benefit treatment malaria schools. The potential adding existing NTD has not been thoroughly evaluated. We offered with artemether-lumefantrine during routine MDA developed peer education two primary schools southern Malawi. assessed participation, safety, tolerability coadministration praziquantel albendazole. Results were compared conducting standard additional monitoring by study staff. A total 3,387 students (68%) received MDA. Among parents who came on day MDA, was well accepted; 87% intervention also consented for artemether-lumefantrine. most frequent emergent adverse events (AEs) headache vomiting. However, AEs rare more addition In this study, we found that is well-received safe. Such integrated may leverage infrastructures reduce costs could become framework further programs.