A feasibility test of a large-scale implementation of schistosomiasis elimination under China-Zimbabwe cooperation: a pilot study protocol

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Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is amongst the leading Neglected Tropical Diseases in terms of its public health significance in Africa accounting for up to 90% of the global burden. Zimbabwe is endemic for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infection. Despite mass drug administration with a focus on school age children, other interventions are not yet in place at national level. China has set up a mechanism of public health cooperation with African countries targeting at schistosomiasis and other infectious diseases. A detailed methodological description of the pilot study for schistosomiasis is presented to make the protocol applied to expanded surveys in similar settings. Methods/Design: This pilot study was designed as a project and considered as an entry point for China-Africa cooperation on schistosomiasis control and elimination. It aimed to test the feasibility of a large-scale collaborative project between China and Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional study on schistosomiasis and snail survey was planned to understand the distribution of the disease at community level. The survey was designed to cover all the 14 villages in the target area (Chevakadzi ward). A simple random sampling was applied to enroll participants and convenient sampling for snail survey was carried out. The feces and urine samples were microscopically examined by the Kato-Katz and urine filtration respectively. At the same time, a capacity and needs assessment was carried out to understand the local pattern of disease control strategy. Discussion This pilot study is expected to generate important epidemiological information and indicators about schistosomiasis transmission at sub-district level. It will be used to determine the feasibility and practicality in China-Zimbabwe cooperation investment at a larger scale.

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