Abstract
Background:Schistosomiasis has continued to plague low-resource areas of the Nigerian population. Mass drug administration (MDA) has been the only adopted interventional program for decades. However, it appears this effort does not culminate in transmission and morbidity reduction.Purpose:To highlight the current situation of schistosomiasis in Nigeria, why MDA alone cannot achieve the expected result, identify research needs, and promotion of integrated control approach for schistosomiasis.Method:A viewpoint based on practices, research findings, and personal and professional experience in the field of schistosomiasis control.Conclusion:This viewpoint strongly advocates a commitment to the integrated control approach through the development of robust schistosomiasis control policy for the country. It stressed the need for research priorities in neglected areas of schistosomiasis that are germane for control of the disease. The government’s willpower to implement important recommendations from research outcomes is important to achieve success.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis has continued to plague low-resource areas of the Nigerian population
Nigeria can learn from countries such as China and Brazil with a strong national policy for the control of schistosomiasis
Few laboratories have the capacity for molecular diagnosis, and where present, schistosomiasis diagnosis is often not prioritized. This raises the concern of the true status of the disease in Nigeria, as a single diagnostic approach is no longer recommended for the monitoring of the disease progression in endemic areas
Summary
Schistosomiasis has continued to plague low-resource areas of the Nigerian population. With 20 million people requiring schistosomiasis preventive chemotherapy, is ranked first amongst the countries of the world endemic for the disease [1]. With decades of continuous MDA but without significant reduction in schistosomiasis morbidity level, transmission control, provision of good water supply, and understanding of the population social context that aids transmission may proffer a lasting solution.
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