Advocacy, policies and practicalities of preventive chemotherapy campaigns for African children with schistosomiasis

Preventive chemotherapy campaigns against schistosomiasis have progressively scaled-up during the last decade, administering single standard dose praziquantel (40mg/kg) treatments to millions of African children. Steps taken in securing international advocacy and national level implementation are traced to highlight an international treatment platform set for further expansion, including surveillance of schistosomiasis, school-level targeting with better on-site drug administration and annual reporting of programmatic indicators (i.e., treatment coverage), potentially in real-time. Several shortcomings in need of resolution are identified and efficacy of praziquantel is assessed by a systematic review. If WHO predictions in reduction of schistosomiasis are to be realized, careful international harmonization and tailoring of national resources are required. Maintaining an effective drug distribution system and regularly checking drug efficacy are paramount.