What is preventive chemotherapy?

Preventive Chemotherapy

Preventive chemotherapy (PCT) involves the regular, large-scale administration of safe and effective medicines as a public health intervention to control specific neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It aims to reduce the morbidity and transmission of these diseases, even in the absence of individual diagnosis.

Key Aspects:

• Target Diseases: PCT is primarily used for NTDs like soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/soil-transmitted%20helminthiasis), schistosomiasis (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/schistosomiasis), lymphatic filariasis (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/lymphatic%20filariasis), onchocerciasis (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/onchocerciasis), and trachoma (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/trachoma).

• Target Populations: PCT is typically administered to at-risk populations, such as school-age children, preschool children, women of reproductive age, and entire communities living in endemic areas.

• Drugs Used: Commonly used drugs include albendazole or mebendazole for STH, praziquantel for schistosomiasis, ivermectin for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (in some contexts), azithromycin for trachoma, and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for lymphatic filariasis (often in combination with albendazole).

• Delivery Strategies: Mass drug administration (MDA) (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/mass%20drug%20administration) is the primary delivery strategy. This involves administering drugs to entire target populations regardless of infection status. Other strategies include targeted treatment based on risk factors or sentinel surveillance.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring drug coverage, adverse events, and disease prevalence are essential to evaluate the impact of PCT programs.

• WHO Guidelines: The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines and recommendations for PCT programs, including drug selection, dosage, and frequency of administration. These guidelines are based on scientific evidence and epidemiological data.

• Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of PCT programs requires strengthening health systems, integrating NTD control into primary healthcare, and promoting community participation.