01432nas a2200133   4500000000100000008004100001260002500042653002100067100001200088245012000100856007500220520097800295022002501273       2022                            d  bMary Ann Liebert Inc10aGeneral Medicine1 aLord MG00aIn Defense of Mothers: Why Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Should Be Included in Mass Drug Administration Programs  uhttps://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/jwh.2022.0267?download=true3 a<p>Mass drug administration (MDA) programs are a critical component of efforts to treat and eliminate trachoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the importance of these programs for individual and community health, pregnant and breastfeeding women have historically been excluded from treatment in these programs. Countries with active MDA programs also tend to have high fertility rates, and thus women may be left untreated for years at a time. Not only do these women suffer from the symptoms of disease (pain and eventual blindness), but also failure to include the entire population in drug administration programs leaves pockets of infection in the community, risking outright failure of eradication efforts. The medication used most commonly, azithromycin, appears to be safe for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The time has come to include pregnant and breastfeeding women in MDA programs, not just for them, but also for their communities.</p>
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