Determinants of uptake of praziquantel, chemotherapy for schistosomiasis treatment during mass drug administration in Busia County, Kenya.
- 1African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD), P. O. Box 45259-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. [email protected].
- 2Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), P.O. Box 31-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 3Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasites Control (ESACIPAC), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, Kenya.
Abstract
Background
Schistosomiasis is a life-threatening parasitic disease that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide, and over 780 million people are at risk of infection globally. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for approximately 280,000 deaths annually. In Kenya, over 17.6 million people are at risk, and approximately 10 million are infected. Busia County, an endemic region, has a prevalence of 17.6%. In past MDAs, the County recorded a praziquantel coverage level of 64.11%, below the WHO-recommended threshold of over 75%. This study aimed to identify the determinants of PZQ uptake during MDA for schistosomiasis treatment in Busia County, Kenya.Methods
An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals aged ≥ 10 years who met the inclusion criteria. Multistage sampling was used to sample the study site. The study had a sample size of 660 participants. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires that captured sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, drug perceptions, and self-reported PZQ uptake. STATA software version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the KU Scientific and Ethical Review Unit.Results
Data were collected from 613 study participants, corresponding to a response rate of 92.9%. Of the 613 study participants, the majority (53.7%, n = 325) were females. The coverage of PZQ uptake was 62%. Overall, 55.5% demonstrated a high level of knowledge of schistosomiasis. Community sensitization before the MDA was statistically significant predictor of PZQ uptake. Participants who had received sensitization were 41 times more likely to take the medicine compared with those who had not (AOR = 41.65; 95% CI: 12.34-138.3; p < 0.001).Conclusion
The findings indicate that PZQ uptake was below the WHO-recommended level. Effective community sensitization prior to MDA is a critical determinant of improving PZQ coverage and schistosomiasis MDA. Community sensitization should be enhanced to address individual drug-related perceptions in the target community, which leads to better MDA outcomes.
Related
- Optimal regimens of praziquantel for schistosomiasis in young children
- Age-group visibility in WHO schistosomiasis reporting: decomposing preventive-chemotherapy coverage indicators, 2014–2024
- “We don’t know schistosomiasis can affect the female reproductive system and increase the risk of HIV”: A mixed-methods analysis reveals gaps in risk factor determinants and health consequences of female genital schistosomiasis in Southern Chad
- Impact of praziquantel treatment and early reinfection patterns in a mixed Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium infection focus in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Economic and organizational impact of oral versus intravenous and subcutaneous administration of hypomethylating agents in patients with acute myeloid leukemia not eligible for intensive chemotherapy in Spain
BibTeX
@article{ndungu2026determinants,
title = {{Determinants of uptake of praziquantel, chemotherapy for schistosomiasis treatment during mass drug administration in Busia County, Kenya.}},
author = {Paul Maina Ndung'u and Titus Watitu and Wyckliff Omondi and Doris Njomo},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12879-026-14051-6},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902230},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Determinants of uptake of praziquantel, chemotherapy for schistosomiasis treatment during mass drug administration in Busia County, Kenya.
AU - Paul Maina Ndung'u
AU - Titus Watitu
AU - Wyckliff Omondi
AU - Doris Njomo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC infectious diseases
DO - 10.1186/s12879-026-14051-6
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902230
AB - Background Schistosomiasis is a life-threatening parasitic disease that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide, and over 780 million people are at risk of infection globally. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for approximately 280,000 deaths annually. In Kenya, over 17.6 million people are at risk, and approximately 10 million are infected. Busia County, an endemic region, has a prevalence of 17.6%. In past MDAs, the County recorded a praziquantel coverage level of 64.11%, below the WHO-recommended threshold of over 75%. This study aimed to identify the determinants of PZQ uptake during MDA for schistosomiasis treatment in Busia County, Kenya.Methods An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals aged ≥ 10 years who met the inclusion criteria. Multistage sampling was used to sample the study site. The study had a sample size of 660 participants. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires that captured sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, drug perceptions, and self-reported PZQ uptake. STATA software version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the KU Scientific and Ethical Review Unit.Results Data were collected from 613 study participants, corresponding to a response rate of 92.9%. Of the 613 study participants, the majority (53.7%, n = 325) were females. The coverage of PZQ uptake was 62%. Overall, 55.5% demonstrated a high level of knowledge of schistosomiasis. Community sensitization before the MDA was statistically significant predictor of PZQ uptake. Participants who had received sensitization were 41 times more likely to take the medicine compared with those who had not (AOR = 41.65; 95% CI: 12.34-138.3; p < 0.001).Conclusion The findings indicate that PZQ uptake was below the WHO-recommended level. Effective community sensitization prior to MDA is a critical determinant of improving PZQ coverage and schistosomiasis MDA. Community sensitization should be enhanced to address individual drug-related perceptions in the target community, which leads to better MDA outcomes.
SN - 1471-2334
ER -