Field Studies on the Feasibility of Interrupting the Transmission of Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH)
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2023-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Over 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Global STH
guidelines recommend MDA (mass drug administration) of albendazole or mebendazole to targeted
populations, including pre-school age children and school-age children. However mathematical
models suggests that current MDA strategies are not sufficient for interrupting disease
transmission in most areas. Meanwhile many lymphatic filariasis (LF) programs have
successfully treated entire populations with albendazole (in combination with ivermectin or
diethylcarbamazine) and are transitioning to a state of post-MDA surveillance. This project
will conduct a series of community-based cluster randomized trials in India, Malawi, and
Benin to determine if maintaining three years of MDA with albendazole to entire communities
following the cessation of LF programs can interrupt STH transmission in focal geographic
areas. Additionally, this study aims to compare the efficacy of community-wide MDA versus
targeted MDA of children in interrupting the transmission of STH. Nested implementation
science research will be used to optimize the intervention, identify contextual factors
influencing trial efficacy, and evaluate the feasibility of sustaining and scaling
community-wide MDA for STH. These data will provide evidence necessary to inform future
guidelines, policies, and operational plans as country partners engage in intensified
approaches to eliminate these disabling diseases.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Natural History Museum, United Kingdom University of Washington
Collaborators:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Blantyre Institute for Community Ophthalmology (BICO) Christian Medical College, Vellore, India Imperial College London Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB) Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute University of Washington