College of Medicine, University of Malawi and Medical Association of Malawi
Abstract
Aim: To study impact of once weekly iron supplementation on
praziquantel cure rate, Schistosoma haematobium reinfection, and
haematological parameters in pupils aged between 9 and 15 years of age
in Nchelenge district, Zambia. Methods: Pupils in the intervention
group received once weekly dose of ferrous sulphate at 200mg while
those in the control received once weekly vitamin C at 100mg for up to
9 months. Both study groups received a single dose of praziquantel at
baseline. Results: S. haematobium reinfection intensity was
significantly lower in boys in the intervention group than in boys in
the control group at 6 months (P<0.001) and 9 months (P<0.001) of
supplementation. Significantly lower S. haematobium reinfection
intensity was found in girls in the intervention group than in girls in
the control group only at 6 months of supplementation (P=0.018). Boys
in the intervention group were 42% (Adjusted Risk Ratio =0.58, 95%
confidence interval 0.39, 0.86) less likely to be reinfected with S.
haematobium than in the control group at 6 months follow up.
Conclusion: Once weekly iron supplementation can decrease S.
haematobium reinfection after 6 months and should be incorporated into
school based schistosomiasis control programs in highly endemic areas
