Global epidemiology, ecology and control of soil-transmitted helminth infections

摘要: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most prevalent of chronic human worldwide. Based on demonstrable impact child development, there is a global commitment to finance and implement control strategies with focus school-based chemotherapy programmes. The major obstacle implementation cost-effective lack accurate descriptions geographical distribution infection. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in use information systems (GIS) remote sensing (RS) better understand ecology epidemiology, develop low-cost ways identify target populations for treatment. This review explores how this used practically guide large-scale satellite-derived environmental data yielded new insights into infection at scale that proven impossible address using more traditional approaches, turn allowed spatial distributions prevalence be predicted robustly by statistical approaches. GIS/RS have increasingly context programmes, including not only STH but also those focusing schistosomiasis, filariasis onchocerciasis. experience indicates provides approach designing monitoring programmes realistic scales. Importantly, begun transition from being specialist international vertical becoming routine tool developing public sector here describe estimate number school-age children sub-Saharan Africa (89.9 million) annual cost providing single anthelmintic treatment (US$5.0-7.6 million). These first estimates continental explicitly include fine population, suggest methods overestimated situation. results continent-wide parasites is, financial perspective, an attainable goal.