Patient selection: males and females 5 to 20 years old, enrolled in a school-based Schistosomiasis treatment program
Parameters:
(1) age of the patient
(2) risk of schistomiasis for the village or community
(3) hematuria
(4) completeness of treatment
Risk factors for infection or reinfection:
(1) age < 12 years of age
(2) residence in high risk > intermediate risk > low risk community
(3) any level of hematuria by dipstick at entry into program
(4) failure to complete treatment regimens (or not being enrolled in school)
Factors to monitor for impact on the patient:
(1) chronic anemia
(2) growth retardation
(3) impaired cognitive and physical development
These factors can help identify patients who may benefit from interventions to reduce risk of acquiring the infection and to treat the disease.
