The United Republic of Tanzania has reached a new milestone in the fight against schistosomiasis. The National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in collaboration with the Tanzanian Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme, is leading research on community engagement and integrated models for delivering paediatric praziquantel, with support from TDR and the UNDP-led Access and Delivery Partnership (ADP).
Since 2023, NIMR, with support from TDR and ADP, has been working on strategies to deliver a new formulation of praziquantel for young children aged 2 to 5 years. This initiative is part of the STEPPS research project led by Dr Paul Erasto Kazyoba.
In early November 2024, the Community Anti-Schistosoma Advocates (CASA) activities were launched to empower community members as change agents.
STEPPS project: a comprehensive approach
The STEPPS project will evaluate two strategies for delivering paediatric praziquantel: the "test and treat” strategy integrated into maternal and child health services and a "pre-school-aged children mass drug administration” (MDA) integrated with adult and school-aged children MDAs. These strategies will be assessed in terms of coverage, acceptability, feasibility and costs, comparing the villages that did or did not benefit from the CASA activities.
TDR is helping assess the efficiency and cost of CASA activities and will support United Republic of Tanzania in evaluating the test and treat strategy and MDA delivery models. So far, six countries plan to introduce paediatric praziquantel; TDR supports implementation research in United Republic of Tanzania, Ghana and Senegal through the ADP.
Community engagement: a crucial first step
The CASA activities involve engaging with communities to raise awareness about schistosomiasis, the benefits of paediatric praziquantel and of treating the whole family in a household starting at age 2. This campaign kicked off in districts with high burden of schistosomiasis in Kigoma District Council (DC), Sengerema DC and Itilima DC. Trained community health workers provided essential health education and addressed myths, rumors, and socio-cultural barriers. The CASA activities are expected to ensure that information reaches the target population effectively and to foster a collaborative environment for wide access and delivery of paediatric praziquantel. NIMR aims to reach around 25,000 children aged 2 to 5 years and their households with this pilot program.
Looking ahead: introduction of paediatric praziquantel
In early 2025, the study will proceed with the implementation of the "test and treat strategy" and later in the year, the MDA campaigns. Paediatric praziquantel doses will be procured from Merck KGaA. The activities around the STEPPS project, especially prevention information for all age groups and awareness of praziquantel campaigns, are expected to significantly reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in these regions and improve overall health and well-being in the long-term.
For more information on this project please contact: Dr Corinne Merle or Dr Emmanuelle Papot.
Credit: Paul Kazyoba
Credit: Paul Kazyoba
This article was originally published in https://tdr.who.int