02186nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653002000054653002000074653003900094653002000133100001400153700001600167700001100183700001500194700001400209700001200223700001300235700001300248700001400261700001500275700001200290700001400302245010000316520146600416022001401882       2016                            d10aSenegal10aSchool children10aschistosomiasis10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aDisease control1 aN'Diaye M1 aDioukhane E1 aNdao B1 aDiedhiou K1 aDiawara L1 aTalla I1 aVernet C1 aBessin F1 aBarbier D1 aDewavrin P1 aKlotz F1 aGeorges P00aSchistosomiasis sustained control program in ethnic groups around Ninefescha (Eastern Senegal).3 a<p>Schistosomiasis is the second most significant parasitic disease in children in several African countries. For this purpose, the "Programme National de Lutte contre les Bilharzioses" (PNLB) was developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to control this disease in Senegal. However, geographic isolation of Bedik ethnic groups challenged implementation of the key elements of the schistosomiasis program in eastern Senegal, and therefore, a hospital was established in Ninefesha to improve access to health care as well as laboratory support for this population. The program we have implemented from 2008 in partnership with the PNLB/WHO involved campaigns to 1) evaluate schistosomiasis prevalence in children of 53 villages around Ninefesha hospital, 2) perform a mass drug administration following the protocol established by the PNLB in school-aged children, 3) monitor annual prevalence, 4) implement health education campaigns, and 5) oversee the building of latrines. This campaign led to a drop in schistosomiasis prevalence but highlighted that sustainable schistosomiasis control by praziquantel treatment, awareness of the use of latrines, and inhabitants' voluntary commitment to the program are crucial to improve Schistosoma elimination. Moreover, this study revealed that preschool-aged children, for whom praziquantel was not recommended until 2014 in Senegal, constituted a significant reservoir for the parasite.</p>
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