Publications by authors named "Elsa P Mendes"

Article Synopsis
  • qPCR is emerging as a significant method for diagnosing soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), especially for differentiating species like Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms, but its effectiveness can be impacted by how samples are preserved and DNA is extracted.
  • In a study involving 3,063 schoolchildren in Angola, qPCR's results were compared to the traditional Kato-Katz technique, showing comparable prevalence for some infections while qPCR identified a higher prevalence of hookworms.
  • The agreement between the methods varied, being very good for Ascaris lumbricoides, moderate for Trichuris trichiura, and fair for hookworm, indicating a need for further research on preservation and extraction techniques to
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Purpose: Population-based prevalence surveys are essential for decision-making on interventions to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. This paper outlines the methodologies of Tropical Data, which supports work to undertake those surveys.

Methods: Tropical Data is a consortium of partners that supports health ministries worldwide to conduct globally standardised prevalence surveys that conform to World Health Organization recommendations.

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Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs require target population engagement, assessed through knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys. We report the results of a KAP survey of Angolan schoolchildren supported by a school preventive chemotherapy (PC) programme, without or with a school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme (PC+/WASH- and PC+/WASH+, respectively); and schoolchildren without a school PC or WASH program (PC-/WASH-). Schoolchildren from PC+/WASH- ( = 218), PC+/WASH+ ( = 250) and PC-/WASH- ( = 254) schools were interviewed.

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Background: A school preventive chemotherapy (PC) program for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosomiasis has operated in Huambo, Uige and Zaire provinces, Angola, since 2013 and 2014, respectively; complemented by a school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in a subset of schools from 2016. Conducted in 2021, this is the first impact assessment of the school program for the control of schistosomiasis and STHs.

Methodology/principal Findings: A two-stage cluster design was used to select schools and schoolchildren for parasitological and WASH surveys.

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Introduction: Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil transmitted helminthiases (STH) have been historically recognized as a major public health problem in Angola. However, lack of reliable, country wide prevalence data on these diseases has been a major hurdle to plan and implement programme actions to target these diseases. This study aimed to characterize SCH and STH prevalence and distribution in Angola.

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Article Synopsis
  • Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are significant public health issues in Angola, prompting a study to evaluate their prevalence and risk factors in schoolchildren across the Huambo, Uige, and Zaire provinces.
  • A comprehensive survey involved over 17,000 schoolchildren, utilizing rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy to measure infection rates, with prevalence for Schistosoma mansoni at 21.2%, S. haematobium at 13.6%, and a total of 31.4% for schistosomiasis.
  • Results highlighted that 29.5% of schoolchildren were infected with STHs, including Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm,
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