03122nas a2200265 4500000000100000008004100001260005300042653002100095653002900116653003900145653001700184653001200201653001700213653002000230653001000250100001700260700001300277700001300290700001200303245014200315856008300457300001100540520229100551022001402842 2026 d c07/2026bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aSchistosomiasis 10aMass drug administration10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aPraziquantel10aUptake 10adeterminants10aKnowledge level10aKenya1 aNdung’u PM1 aWatitu T1 aOmondi W1 aNjomo D00aDeterminants of uptake of praziquantel, chemotherapy for schistosomiasis treatment during mass drug administration in Busia County, Kenya uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12879-026-14051-6_reference.pdf a1 - 243 a

Background

Schistosomiasis is a life-threatening parasitic disease that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide, and over 780 million people are at risk of infection globally. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for approximately 280,000 deaths annually. In Kenya, over 17.6 million people are at risk, and approximately 10 million are infected. Busia County, an endemic region, has a prevalence of 17.6%. In past MDAs, the County recorded a praziquantel coverage level of 64.11%, below the WHO-recommended threshold of over 75%. This study aimed to identify the determinants of PZQ uptake during MDA for schistosomiasis treatment in Busia County, Kenya.

Methods

An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals aged ≥ 10 years who met the inclusion criteria. Multistage sampling was used to sample the study site. The study had a sample size of 660 participants. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires that captured sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, drug perceptions, and self-reported PZQ uptake. STATA software version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the KU Scientific and Ethical Review Unit.

Results

Data were collected from 613 study participants, corresponding to a response rate of 92.9%. Of the 613 study participants, the majority (53.7%, n = 325) were females. The coverage of PZQ uptake was 62%. Overall, 55.5% demonstrated a high level of knowledge of schistosomiasis. Community sensitization before the MDA was statistically significant predictor of PZQ uptake. Participants who had received sensitization were 41 times more likely to take the medicine compared with those who had not (AOR = 41.65; 95% CI: 12.34–138.3; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings indicate that PZQ uptake was below the WHO-recommended level. Effective community sensitization prior to MDA is a critical determinant of improving PZQ coverage and schistosomiasis MDA. Community sensitization should be enhanced to address individual drug-related perceptions in the target community, which leads to better MDA outcomes.

 a1471-2334