Does Treating Hookworm Improve Productivity of Small Subsistence Farmers

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2015-08-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

Treatment of hookworm infected groups with albendazole has been shown to result in an increase in hemoglobin levels and a related decrease in the prevalence of anemia. Increases in hemoglobin levels due to treatment have been associated with significant gains in adult labor productivity.

In this study, the investigators hypothesize that regular treatment of women smallholder farmers in a high prevalence area with the anti-hookworm drug albendazole and iron supplementation will improve hookworm associated anemia. Further, regular treatment of albendazole and iron supplementation will improve their work capacity when compared to a control group

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Salmon, Margaret, M.D.
• Collaborators: Akeso Associates; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Eastern Congo Initiative; HEAL Hospital, DRC
• Treatments: Albendazole

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• All women of childbearing years (age 16 - 50)

• Identify as a small subsistence farmer

• No clinical evidence of acute malaria, who are with hookworm + stool, and are not pregnant.

If women become pregnant during the period of study and tests + at the 6 or 12 month study visit then based on last menstrual period, we will wait until she has completed her first trimester to initiate the 6 or 12 month study visit based on protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with acute symptoms of malaria

• 1st trimester pregnancy

• Hookworm - stool

• Declines study participation

• Age <16 or > 50

• Muscular or neurologic defect that preclude them from stepping on and off a stairs

• Cognitive impairment such that they cannot understand study purpose and consenting procedure