Schistosomiasis infection levels have dropped by more than half in the Yemen

The Yemen Schistosomiasis Control Project presented the impressive first results of an impact evaluation assessment of the programme so far.

WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted the technical review meeting of the Yemen Schistosomiasis Control Project from 25 November to 6 December 2013, during which the first results of an impact evaluation assessment were presented. The meeting was jointly organized by the Yemen Ministry of Public Health and Population, the World Bank, the WHO and SCI.

The 6 year Yemen Schistosomiasis Control Project was launched in 2010 with a US$25 million grant from The World Bank.  Over the first 3 years of the project the health authorities have distributed more than 18 million treatments of praziquantel, using over 45 million tablets. “This achievement is exemplary and reflects the commitment of the Government of Yemen and the dedication of all our stakeholders, particularly the World Bank and the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative” said Dr Lorenzo Savioli, Director, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.

In March 2013 more than 9.5 million Yemenis (children and adults) were treated for schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) during two 4-day campaigns, compared with a total of 1.9 million people treated during the whole of 2012. To achieve this Yemen mobilized 30,000 health officials and community members in 263 districts of the country’s 20 governorates. 

In November 2013, 12 governorates (Provinces) were targeted (51 Districts). More than 3.5 million Yemenis were targeted, of which 1.5 million were school age children. More than 9,000 drug distributers were trained on praziquantel administration when delivered alongside albendazole.

Monitoring and evaluation of the project includes the collection of urine and stool samples from 2000 individuals from selected sentinel sites post treatment.  Analysis of these samples showed that infection levels have fallen by more than 50% since the project began, from 20% at baseline to 8%, with less than 4% habouring severe infections.  This data has been certified by an independent assessment conducted by an external auditing firm.