Does mass drug administration for community-based scabies control works? The experience in Ethiopia

Wendemagegn Enbiale, Ashenafi Ayalew, Teklehaymanot Gebrehiwot, Yared Mulu, Muluken Azage, Rony Zachariah, Lucia Romani, Kristien Verdonck, Johan Van Griensven, Henry Jc De Vries

Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

38 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: After a scabies outbreak in Amhara Region, Ethiopia in 2015/2016, the Regional Health Bureau performed an extensive Mass Drug Administration (MDA). In May 2017, we collected data to assess the impact of the treatment on the scabies control.

METHODOLOGY: We retrieved baseline data from the 2015/16 burden assessment: campaign organization and administration information. We did a community based cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire on disease and treatment history plus the presence or absence of active scabies in three Zones. We selected households using stratified random sampling deployed 7581 questionnaires and performed key informant interviews.

RESULTS: 46.3% had a previous scabies diagnosis in the last 2 years of which 86.1% received treatment, and the cure rate was 90.6%. Fifteen months after intervention the scabies prevalence was 21.0 % (67.3% new cases and 32.7% recurrences). The highest burden of new cases (93.1%) was found in the North Gondar zone. The likelihood of treatment failure was higher for treatments offered in clinics (12.2%) as opposed to via the campaign (7.9%). Failure to follow the guidelines, shortage of medicine and lack of leadership prioritization were identified as reasons for resurgence of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that community engagement is essential in the success of scabies MDA, alongside strong political commitment, and guideline adherence. Effectiveness and sustainability of the MDA was compromised by the failing of proper contact treatment, surveillance and case management.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Infection in Developing Countries
Volume14
Issue number6(SI)
Pages (from-to)78S-85S
Number of pages8
ISSN1972-2680
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does mass drug administration for community-based scabies control works? The experience in Ethiopia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this