Urogenital schistosomiasis situation in school-age children after a decade of mass praziquantel treatment in the region of Kayes, Mali

Praziquantel is the basic drug recommended for Mass Drug Administration (MDA) by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, its impact on the prevalence of infection has not been updated after a decade of MDA in Mali. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of urogenital schistosomiasis in schoolage children in the Kayes region. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three health districts of Kayes (Bafoulabe, Diema, and Oussoubidiagnan) from June to August 2022. School-age children ranging from 5 to 14 years were enrolled at home after obtaining parental consent. Urine was filtered and examined for eggs. A total of 2658 children were examined. The prevalence of infection was 37.67%; 40.79% and 34.37% in Bafoulabe, Diema, and Oussoubidiagnan, respectively (p=0.02). There was a significant difference between boys and girls in the district of Bafoulabe (42.6% vs. 33%) and Oussoubidiagnan (38.9% vs. 29.4%). However, in Diema, the percentage of boys and girls respective were comparable (39.9% vs. 41.5%). In addition, the egg excretion rate was 28.95%; 17.81%, and 13.10% in Diema, Bafoulabe, and Oussoubidiagnan, respectively (p<0.001). After a decade of MDA, the prevalence and intensity of infection remain high in the three health districts of Kayes.