Experiences with a multi-sectorial operation research programme for control of schistosomiasis in a Tanzanian...

A well validated questionnaire-based approach allowed identification of six villages endemic for urinary schistosomiasis (infection prevalence > 25%) in a rural Tanzanian district. An interdisciplinary team launched an operational research programme with the aim of establish noting a sustainable approach to reducing schistosomiasis morbidity. The programme comprised of three different strategies: chemotherapy, promotion of Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines and health education. After five consecutive years of intervention, the overall organisation and management, inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and impact of each strategy were evaluated. Different key informants and groups of the community were interviewed, to record their programme evaluation. Infection prevalence among school children decreased from 48.1% to 18.7% for Schistosoma haematobium and from 28.0% to 9.0% for S. mansoni. 54 VIP latrines were constructed at popular locations of which 50 were still functioning and in use after five years. Children's awareness about schistosomiasis did not differ between schools within and outside the study area. Community-based evaluation closely followed the quantitative results, with chemotherapy rated as the most successful strategy.