Effect of Increased Albendazole Coverage on Control of Human and Porcine Taenia Solium Cysticercosis In Mbulu District-Tanzania
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Date
2025-08
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NM-AIST
Abstract
Taeniosis and cysticercosis are infections caused by cestodes including Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). The cysticercosis in central nervous system accounts for 30% of acquired epilepsy in endemic developing countries. The school deworming program in Tanzania targeting intestinal and tissue worms does not seem to have an effect on reducing pork tapeworm in entire communities. One of the reasons may be that the adults may re infect the dewormed children. A quasi experimental intervention was conducted to evaluate the effect of increased albendazole coverage and rounds on controlling human and porcine cysticercosis among rural communities in the Mbulu district. The study involved community meetings with the heads of households before community deworming with 400 mg of albendazole. The Ag ELISA was used to determine human cysticercosis while pigs were examined by the lingual examination method. A total of 600 human participants were recruited, whereby 300 individuals were recruited before intervention and 300 after intervention. Furthermore, a total of 510 pigs were conveniently sampled, where 267 were sampled before intervention and 243 were sampled after intervention. The study has shown decrease in human cysticercosis by 6% in all study communities and a rise for porcine cysticercosis in control and one round intervention has been recorded. The younger age group had low infection 5% compared to the adults 11% in the
population which may be attributed by school deworming program. It is therefore, recommended to increase anthelmintic coverage and rounds in communities’ endemic with pork tapeworm to cover adults for some years consecutively for control of pork tapeworm and involve other sectors involved in life cycle of parasite for transmission interruption.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG: 3- Good Health and Well-Being
SDG :2- Zero Hunger