Field test of the ‘dose pole’ for praziquantel in Zanzibar

Abstract

A graduated pole for height measurement, estimating the number of praziquantel tablets needed for treatment, was field-tested on 1289 children in Zanzibar. A bathroom-type scale performed better than the dose pole in delivering the optimal dose (40–60 mg/kg) and the 2 methods performed similarly in delivering a dose considered appropriate (30–60 mg/kg).

schistosomiasis, Schistosoma spp, chemotherapy, praziquantel, dosage determination, ‘dose pole’, Zanzibar