Extending anthelminthic coverage to non-enrolled school-age children using a simple and low-cost method

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Global Health

Background:

• World Health Organization (WHO) strategies for reducing soil-transmitted nematode and schistosome morbidity in school-aged children rely on school health programs.
• Low school enrollment rates pose a significant challenge to the success of these targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of including non-enrolled school-aged children in school-based deworming campaigns.
• To determine the coverage rates and additional costs associated with treating both enrolled and non-enrolled children.

Main Methods:

• Enrolled children were informed about deworming dates and encouraged to share information with peers.
• Teachers administered anthelminthics to all school-aged children present, regardless of enrollment status.
• Household questionnaires in 257 families in Zanzibar collected coverage data post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Over 89% of all school-aged children received treatment.
• Treatment coverage reached 98.9% for enrolled children and 60% for non-enrolled children.
• The incremental cost of treating non-enrolled children was minimal, primarily the cost of additional anthelminthic drugs.

Conclusions:

• School-based deworming campaigns can successfully and cost-effectively include non-enrolled school-aged children.
• Programme managers should consider adapting this inclusive strategy to their specific contexts.
• This method offers a practical solution to improve deworming coverage in populations with varying school enrollment rates.