Community perception of school-based mass drug administration program for soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023 Jul 17;17(7):e0011213. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011213. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Neglected tropical diseases, such as soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis, are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ogun State, Nigeria. School-based mass drug administration program is the primary control intervention, but the coverage and uptake of this intervention have been inadequate. This study aimed to investigate community perceptions of school-based mass drug administration programs for these infections in Ogun State, Nigeria, and identify the barriers to their uptake and coverage.

Methodology/principal findings: The study used a qualitative research approach involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with community members and stakeholders engaged in neglected tropical disease control programs in Ogun State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire guided the exploration of ideas, and the data were analyzed using the QRS Nvivo 12 software package. The study found several barriers, such as the influence of parents, lack of sufficient knowledge, and side effects. The study recommended strategies such as improving community sensitization and engagement, drug distribution and performance, and enhancing partner collaboration and coordination to improve the school-based mass drug administration programs.

Conclusions/significance: The study revealed correct perceptions of transmission but some misconceptions about disease causation, transmission, and drug safety. Participants expressed a desire for better sensitization campaigns and more assurances of their safety. The study recommends strengthening health education messages and increasing the visibility of on-site medical personnel. The findings have implications for improving the performance of these programs and reducing the burden of intestinal parasitic infections in the community. The study highlights the need for community engagement and education, health system support, and partner collaboration to successfully implement mass drug administration programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Helminthiasis* / drug therapy
  • Helminthiasis* / epidemiology
  • Helminthiasis* / prevention & control
  • Helminths*
  • Humans
  • Mass Drug Administration
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Perception
  • Schistosomiasis* / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis* / epidemiology
  • Schistosomiasis* / prevention & control
  • Soil / parasitology

Substances

  • Soil

Grants and funding

This work received financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Neglected Tropical Diseases Program of through their support of the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) grant to FTA. COR-NTD is funded at The Task Force primarily by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.