Bibliographic information
Recommendation
In endemic communities with Schistosoma spp. prevalence of less than 10%, WHO suggests one of two approaches based on the programmes’ objectives and resources: (i) where there has been a programme of regular preventive chemotherapy, continuing preventive chemotherapy at the same or a reduced frequency towards interruption of transmission; and (ii) where there has not been a programme of regular preventive chemotherapy, a clinical approach of test-and-treat, instead of preventive chemotherapy targeting a population.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
Implementation considerations Close epidemiological monitoring (sentinel sites surveys or mid-term evaluation every 3 years) should be established to monitor Schistosoma spp. prevalence, especially in settings previously endemic with ≥ 10% prevalence or with a history of preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel if reducing the frequency of preventive chemotherapy.
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This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience.