Impact of Mass Drug Administration on Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in Eight Riverine Communities in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, Ghana

Background: The incidence of schistosomiasis in Ghana and more specifically in the Asuogyaman District had become a noticeable record following the creation of the Akosombo Dam in the early 1960s. This has inevitably since placed an enormous burden on the health service delivery systems in the geographical area. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of Praziquantel has been used worldwide as a preventive and treatment intervention measure for the disease, and the study area is no exception. The study, therefore, aimed to assess the impact of MDA on the prevalence and associated risk factors of schistosomiasis in eight (8) selected riverine communities within the district.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted involving 896 respondents with ages ranging from 2 to 82 years and a mean age of 17±13.78 years. Data were obtained from the Volta River Authority (VRA) Public Health and Environmental Department. Pearson’s chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to assess the association and predict the relationship between variables.

Findings: Out of the 896 respondents, 93 (10.4 %) tested positive for Schistosoma haematobium. Proportionally, the Nyameben community had a high prevalence of 25.8% while Mami-Waterkope, and Mangoase both had a low prevalence of 3.2 %. The average uptake of Praziquantel was 41% across the study area. From the bivariate analysis, the respondents’ community of residence was noted as the only statistically significant variable contributing to infection. Respondents aged 13-39 were 1.68 times more likely to be infected compared to their younger counterparts after controlling for all other covariates in the predictive model.

Conclusion: Mass Drug Administration had a tremendous effect on reducing the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis to the present level of 10.4%. However, some “hotspots” like the Nyameben community will require special attention to reduce the high prevalence disease rate. Communities with low uptake of Praziquantel had a relatively high prevalence of schistosomiasis.