Schistosomiasis in Formal and Non-Formal Schools in Uganda: Implications for Control Programmes

Schistosomiasis in Formal and Non-Formal Schools in Uganda: Implications for Control

Current efforts to control schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes infections focus on the school-age population, and school-based treatment delivery programs offer a major cost advantages because of the use of the existing school infrastructure and the fact that schoolchildren are accessible through schools. However, in many developing countries, large numbers of school-age children are not in school and this has raised questions about the effectiveness of school-based programs in reaching non-enrolled children. Increasingly, the non-formal education sector is providing a growing solution to the problem of poor enrolment in basic education, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and has recently been used to deliver praziquantel as part of a national schistosomiasis control program in Uganda. However, it is unclear how effective this program has been in reaching children who attend non-formal schools and whether the program has been reaching children from the poorest households.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Helminthiasis; Anaemia; Schistosomiasis

Detailed Description

This study will compare infection and nutritional status of children enrolled in formal schools and non-formal schools, and non-enrolled children in Nakasongola District in Uganda, and investigate the process and impact of treatment delivered by the national control program. The study will consist of household surveys and cross-sectional parasitological and hematological surveys, with follow-up six months later. The evaluation will take place over the course of a year and will:

• Compare the infection and nutritional status of children enrolled in formal schools and non-formal schools, and non-enrolled children in Nakasongola District, Uganda
• Compare programmatic process indicators, including enrolment rates, attendance rates, access to water and sanitation, treatment coverage in formal and non-formal schools
• Investigate the impact of treatment on intensity of infection and reinfection rates in formal and non-formal schools.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 1293

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Uganda
  • Kampala, Uganda
    • Vector Control Division

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 6 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

children enrolled in formal schools and children not enrolled in formal school identified by household survey

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• School children in grad 1 and 2

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
2; children enrolled in formal schools and children not enrolled in formal schools

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: DBL -Institute for Health Research and Development
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Narcis Kabatereine, Dr, Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health Uganda

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2006
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 19, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 19, 2007
• First Posted (Estimate): April 20, 2007

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 25, 2008
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2008
• Last Verified: January 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: anaemia; schistosomiasis; helminthes
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Infections; Vector Borne Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Trematode Infections; Helminthiasis; Schistosomiasis
• Other Study ID Numbers: SRP-UG-NK-06