ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of praziquantel efficacy against school age schistosomiasis in Kelo, Chad
ISSA Mahamat Souleymane1,3, BAME DAKANGA Christophe9, MAHAMAT Moussa Hassan Taisso³, DJIkOLMBAIRANGAR Jean-Eudes4, DJIMRASENGAR Honoré7, DJIDDI Ali Sougoudi3,10, MAHAMAT Adano6, ISSA Ali Hagar6, HASSOUMI Manah8, NGUINAMBAYE Mberdoum3, NADJIOROUM Ngam-Asra3, ONGRAM Kouleta II2, DJIMADOUM Djionadji2, MERAM Atteib Taher2, AHMAT Togui Koutou2, MAHAMAT Zakaria Azrack5, KALTAM Abderaman Yakhoub10, MAHAMAT ALI Bolti3,10 and BRAHIM BOY Otchom3,
1Chad National Malaria Control Program, N’Djamena, Chad, 2Ministry of Health, Public and Preventive, N’Djamena, Chad, 3Faculty of Science and Human Health, University of N’Djamena, Chad, 4Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon, 5Faculty of Science, University Toumai of N’Djamena, Chad, 6Ecole Nationale des agents sanitaires et Sociaux (ENASS), N’Djamena, Chad, 7World Health Organization, N’Djamena, Chad, 8Hospital of Tchad-Chine, N’Djamena, Chad, 9Hospital of Kélo, Tandjilé, Chad, 10Renaissance National University Hospital, N'Djamena, Chad
Abstract
Receive 17 September, 2025; Revised 13 October, 2025; Accepted 26 December, 2025; Published 27 December, 2025
Background: Schistosomiasis is a major endemic parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly affecting school-age children. Praziquantel, administered in a single dose of 40 mg/kg, is the standard treatment recommended by the WHO. Samples were collected using a pre-established questionnaire. Of the 250 children examined before mass treatment, 200 students were recruited. The study had many limitations, mainly the post-treatment follow-up period, which was limited to three months, making it impossible to assess long-term reinfection dynamics. In addition, no measurement of parasite intensity (number of eggs/10 ml of urine) was performed, which would have allowed for an assessment of the effectiveness on parasite load, and the sample size was limited (200 students), which does not necessarily reflect the full diversity of the health district. Methodology: This study, conducted on children aged 6–14 years from five primary schools who received a dose of praziquantel in the Kélo health district (Chad), aimed to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in a school setting. Children were recruited from May to July 2022. Results: A total of 200 students aged 6–14 years were included. Before treatment, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium was 28%. Three months after praziquantel administration, prevalence dropped to 3.5%, corresponding to a cure rate of 96.5%. The persistence of positive cases, observed in some schools, is likely linked to poor hygiene conditions and the risk of reinfection. Conclusion: These results confirm the high efficacy of praziquantel but highlight the need to combine treatment with complementary water, sanitation, and hygiene measures.
Keywords: Schistosomiasis-Praziquantel-Therapeutics-School-age-Kélo.