Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): A Critical Component for Sustainable Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Schistosomiasis Control

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and
\nschistosomes are parasites that affect the
\nworld’s poorest people, causing losses of
\nup to 39 million and 70 million disability
\nadjusted life years (DALYs) respectively. The World Health Organization
\n(WHO) is at the forefront of developing
\npolicy for the control of STH and
\nschistosomiasis, advocating for chemotherapy
\nas the cornerstone of control, with the
\nobjective of reducing infection-associated
\nmorbidity. Global uptake of chemotherapy
\nwith albendazole or mebendazole
\nfor STH and praziquantel for schistosomiasis
\nhas significantly increased and
\nremains the principal control strategy. It is
\ncost-effective and reduces STH and
\nschistosome infections in human hosts.