The United Republic of Tanzania is endemic for Schistosomiasis. It is estimated that 53.2 million people are at risk of the disease in 2019. Both, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, are endemic in the country.
The highly affected area are represented by the area along Lake Victoria and the Northwest region. In Zanzibar, long term sustained control efforts have dropped the infection at a level such elimination is envisaged.
Annual mass drug administration with praziquantel focussed on school children represent the main control approach against schistosomiasis in Tanzania. Trained school teachers distribute the medicines to school children. Albendazole for the treatment of soil transmitted helminths is provided as well during the same MDA.
From 2009 to 2018, more than 33.7 million praziquantel treatments have been delivered during MDA with appropriate coverage in school age children.
Integrated control approaches combining extended preventive chemotherapy, improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene, (WASH) public health education, vector control, integration to peripheral health system and improved socio-economic living conditions are required in order to sustain the gains and move forward elimination of the disease as a public health problem.
Pictures // © RTI international/Louise Gubb