Symbolic illustration of children in Tanzania near a river, representing schistosomiasis prevention and treatment.

Protect Your Kids: Understanding and Preventing Schistosomiasis

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Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Comprehensive Guide to Schistosomiasis: Symptoms, Prevention, and the Impact of Mass Drug Administration"


Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a chronic parasitic disease caused by trematode worms. It's a significant public health problem, especially for children in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical regions. The parasite, Schistosoma haematobium, causes urinary schistosomiasis, leading to symptoms like bloody urine and, if untreated, severe urological complications. Understanding this disease is the first step in protecting your family and community.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that millions suffer from schistosomiasis, with children being particularly vulnerable due to their water-related activities. In Tanzania, like many other endemic countries, mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns using praziquantel are a key strategy to control the disease. These campaigns aim to reduce both the prevalence and intensity of infection among schoolchildren.

This article dives into the impact of praziquantel MDA campaigns on schistosomiasis in the Bahi district of central Tanzania. We’ll explore how these efforts affect the prevalence and intensity of the disease, and discuss the knowledge and practices surrounding schistosomiasis transmission. We'll also cover practical steps you can take to protect your children and support broader community health initiatives.

The Impact of MDA Campaigns: A Closer Look

Symbolic illustration of children in Tanzania near a river, representing schistosomiasis prevention and treatment.

A study conducted in the Bahi district assessed the effectiveness of two rounds of praziquantel MDA on schoolchildren. The results showed a significant reduction in the prevalence of S. haematobium after the MDA campaigns. In 2011, the prevalence was 26%, dropping to 15% in 2012. This 50% decrease highlights the potential impact of MDA in controlling the disease.

However, the study also revealed challenges. The uptake of MDA was below the WHO target of 75%, with only 39.5% in 2011 and 43.6% in 2012 of children being treated. This means that a significant portion of the school-age population remained untreated, potentially serving as a source of continued transmission. The study also found that children who did not participate in MDA campaigns were more likely to have schistosomiasis.

  • Reduced Prevalence: MDA campaigns significantly lowered schistosomiasis rates.
  • Suboptimal Uptake: Coverage rates were below WHO targets.
  • Continued Transmission: Untreated children contributed to ongoing spread.
  • Importance of Advocacy: Education improves knowledge but must translate to preventive action.
Furthermore, the presence of Bulinus snails shedding cercariae (the infective stage of the parasite) indicates ongoing environmental contamination. This means that even with MDA, re-infection remains a risk if people continue to come into contact with infested water. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that combine MDA with improved water and sanitation practices to fully interrupt transmission.

Taking Action: Protecting Your Community

While MDA campaigns are crucial, preventing schistosomiasis requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself, your children, and your community: <b>Education and Awareness:</b> Promote understanding of how schistosomiasis is transmitted and how to prevent infection. <b>Safe Water Practices:</b> Encourage the use of safe water sources for drinking, washing, and recreation. Avoid contact with potentially contaminated water. <b>Improved Sanitation:</b> Support efforts to improve sanitation facilities to prevent the contamination of water sources with human waste. <b>Community Participation:</b> Get involved in local health programs and support MDA campaigns to ensure high coverage rates. <b>Regular Check-ups:</b> Ensure children have regular check-ups and are treated promptly if infected.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4314/thrb.v16i1.1, Alternate LINK

Title: Impact Of Praziquantel Mass Drug Administration Campaign On Prevalence And Intensity Of Schistosoma Haemamtobium Among Schoolchildren In Bahi District, Tanzania

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Tanzania Journal of Health Research

Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)

Authors: Simon A. Chaula, Donath S. Tarimo

Published: 2014-03-05

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is schistosomiasis, and how does the *Schistosoma haematobium* parasite specifically affect children?

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is caused by trematode worms. The *Schistosoma haematobium* parasite specifically causes urinary schistosomiasis, leading to symptoms such as bloody urine. If left untreated, it can lead to severe urological complications. Children are particularly vulnerable, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical regions, due to their frequent contact with water sources.

2

How do Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns work to combat schistosomiasis, and what role does praziquantel play in these efforts?

Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns use the drug praziquantel to control schistosomiasis. These campaigns aim to reduce the prevalence and intensity of the infection, particularly among school children. For example, in the Bahi district of central Tanzania, MDA campaigns led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of *S. haematobium*. However, the uptake of praziquantel needs to reach WHO targets of 75% to be fully effective.

3

What impact did the MDA campaigns have in the Bahi district of Tanzania, and what do the results suggest about the effectiveness of praziquantel?

A study in the Bahi district of Tanzania found that MDA campaigns using praziquantel significantly reduced the prevalence of *S. haematobium*. Specifically, prevalence decreased from 26% in 2011 to 15% in 2012 after two rounds of MDA. However, the coverage rates of MDA were below the WHO target, and untreated children continued to contribute to the transmission of the disease. Therefore, MDA campaigns are effective, but the reach needs to be improved.

4

Why are *Bulinus* snails and cercariae still a concern even with MDA campaigns in place for controlling *Schistosoma haematobium*?

The presence of *Bulinus* snails shedding cercariae indicates ongoing environmental contamination, which means that even with MDA campaigns using praziquantel, people are at risk of re-infection. These snails are a key part of the *Schistosoma haematobium*'s life cycle, so continued exposure to infested water maintains the cycle. In order to fully interrupt the transmission cycle comprehensive strategies are needed that combine MDA with improved water and sanitation practices.

5

Besides MDA campaigns and praziquantel treatment, what other concrete steps can I take to protect my family and community from schistosomiasis, specifically regarding *Schistosoma haematobium*?

To protect your community, you should promote education and awareness about schistosomiasis transmission and prevention. Safe water practices, such as using safe water sources for drinking, washing, and recreation, are crucial. Support efforts to improve sanitation facilities to prevent water contamination. Community participation in local health programs and MDA campaigns, and regular check-ups, also play vital roles in reducing the spread of *Schistosoma haematobium*.

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