부산대학교 도서관

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the most widespread of the neglected tropical diseases, primarily affecting marginalized populations in low- and middle-income countries. More than one billion people are currently infected with STHs. For the control of these infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an integrated approach, which includes access to appropriate sanitation, hygiene education, and preventive chemotherapy (i.e., large-scale, periodic distribution of anthelmintic drugs). Since 2010, WHO has coordinated two large donations of benzimidazoles to endemic countries. Thus far, more than 3.3 billion benzimidazole tablets have been distributed in schools for the control of STH infections, resulting in an important reduction in STH-attributable morbidity in children, while additional tablets have been distributed for the control of lymphatic filariasis. This paper (i) summarizes the progress of global STH control between 2008 to 2018 (based on over 690 reports submitted by endemic countries to WHO); (ii) provides regional and country details on preventive chemotherapy coverage; and (iii) indicates the targets identified by WHO for the next decade and the tools that should be developed to attain these targets. The main message is that STH-attributable morbidity can be averted with evidence-informed program planning, implementation, and monitoring. Caution will still need to be exercised in stopping control programs to avoid any rebound of prevalence and loss of accrued morbidity gains. Over the next decade, with increased country leadership and multi-sector engagement, the goal of eliminating STH infections as a public health problem can be achieved. Author summary: Intestinal worm infections are extremely frequent in areas where sanitation, access to clean water, and hygiene measures are poor. These infections negatively affect the nutritional status and development of children and women. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the periodic administration of anthelmintic drugs as one of the components of a control strategy to eliminate these infections. Since 2010, WHO has managed two donations of anthelmintics (i.e., albendazole and mebendazole) that are provided to ministries of health in endemic countries. The present paper summarizes anthelmintic treatment coverage data over a 10-year period (2008–2018) from over 690 reports (and more than 3.3 billion tablets) submitted to WHO by ministries of health. It also reports on the results of surveys, which have been conducted in several countries to evaluate the impact of the drug distribution. Lastly, it presents global objectives for the control of intestinal worm infections, to be achieved by 2030, as identified by a panel of WHO experts and collaborators. In conclusion, the program for the control of intestinal worm infections has steadily progressed between 2008 and 2018 and achieving a coverage level of over 60% in school-age children. The health consequences of these infections have also been significantly reduced. With sustained program implementation, the elimination of these worm infections as a public health problem might be achieved by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]