New publication alert! Mass drug administration for schistosomiasis in Mali

Congratulations to Moussa Sangare for publishing his recent paper focused on mass drug administration in Mali. Moussa is completing a PhD program in Population and Health at the University of Ottawa. 

This paper examined the gaps in coverage due to mobile populations (internally displaced persons (IDP), migrants, and nomads) missed in mass drug administration. A cross-sectional study was completed in two Malian health districts between March to July 2020 among 1067 participants aged 18+ years. The questionnaire examined barriers to MDA access, mobility patterns, MDA awareness and logistical challenges with the main outcome including self-reported intake of Praziquantel. The results demonstrated that most of the mobile population groups experienced low MDA coverage which was below the 75% mark for elimination of schistosomiasis. The article identifies reasons associated with low and non-participation rates which included lack of information, accessibility barriers and lower income.

Differences in the participation rates were largely due to variability in lifestyles, lack of trust and belief in the healthcare system and inadequate access to information. Addressing these factors through targeted sensitization campaigns may help to increase confidence and communication of information thereby leading to improved participation rates among mobile populations. 

This paper calls for the importance in recognizing interactions between geographic, informational, social and economic factors and their impact on MDA participation rates among mobile populations. 

Check out Moussa’s other works here: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9582-4093