The WHO dose pole for the administration of praziquantel is also accurate in non-African populations

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Jan;99(1):78-81. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.06.006.

Abstract

In 2001, WHO developed a pole for the administration of praziquantel without the use of weighing scales, with encouraging results in African populations. In the present study, the pole was tested on height/weight data from 9354 individuals from 11 non-African countries. In more than 98% of the individuals (95% CI 97.8-98.4) the pole estimated an acceptable dosage (30-60 mg/kg), a performance statistically similar to that observed in African populations. Reproducing the present pole in the form of a strip of paper and including it in each container of praziquantel would greatly facilitate the administration of the drug in large-scale interventions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage*
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Endemic Diseases / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Middle Aged
  • Praziquantel / administration & dosage*
  • Schistosomiasis / drug therapy*
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Praziquantel