Prevalence Mapping Throughout Niger

The national schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminth control programme of Niger has embarked on a prevalence mapping survey in districts not previously covered.

The national schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminth control programme of Niger (PNLBG) has embarked on a prevalence mapping survey in districts not previously covered by the 2004 treatment campaign.  Two teams of five people, which include three lab technicians, began visiting schools and villages throughout Niger in the middle of April.

A total of 116 schools or villages have been randomly selected to participate in the study.  In each locale 60 school-aged children (30 boys and 30 girls), between 5 and 15 years of age, are selected.  Each child is asked to provide both a urine and stool sample to determine the prevalence of S.hematobium and both  S.mansoni and soil transmitted helminths respectively. The results from the 116 schools or villages will provide a representative prevalence map of the disease throughout Niger.

By the end of April 2005 PNLBG had covered both Tahoua and Maradi Regions, where 27 villages or schools were surveyed, and moved onto the Dosso Region.  Mapping of the Zinder, Agadez and Diffa Regions will be mapped after the summer holidays.