Evaluating the Efficacy of Albendazole Mass Drug Administration on Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections among School-age Children in Ikyogen IDP Camp, Kwande LGA, Benue State

Abstract

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings with poor sanitation, such as the Ikyogen Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. The study evaluates the efficacy of albendazole mass drug administration (MDA) in reducing the prevalence and intensity of STH infections among school-aged children. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted between April and May 2024 for school age children at IDP camp in Ikyogen, Kwande LGA, Benue state. A total of 112 children diagnosed with STH were enrolled. Stool samples were collected and examined by Kato-Katz thick smear quantitative method for the presence of STH and repeated after 21 days of Albendazole administration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: At baseline, 39% of the children tested positive for STH infections, with Ascaris lumbricoides (61.6%) being the most prevalent, followed by hookworms (34.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.6%). Albendazole treatment demonstrated varying efficacy, with a cure rate of 66.7% for A. lumbricoides, 53.5% for hookworms, and 100% for T. trichiura. Egg reduction rates (ERRs) varied significantly across parasite types, reflecting potential challenges in achieving sustained reductions in infection intensity. Conclusions: Despite albendazoles broad-spectrum anti-helminthic activity, concerns about drug resistance and re-infection persisted. The current treatment strategy should be reviewed to accommodate preschoolers and adults in prevention and control implementation programs.