Journal article

A cluster-randomised controlled trial integrating a community-based water, sanitation and hygiene programme, with mass distribution of albendazole to reduce intestinal parasites in Timor-Leste: The WASH for WORMS research protocol

SV Nery, JS McCarthy, R Traub, RM Andrews, J Black, D Gray, E Weking, JA Atkinson, S Campbell, N Francis, A Vallely, G Williams, A Clements

BMJ Open | Published : 2015

Abstract

Introduction: There is limited evidence demonstrating the benefits of community-based water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes on infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and intestinal protozoa. Our study aims to contribute to that evidence base by investigating the effectiveness of combining two complementary approaches for control of STH: periodic mass administration of albendazole, and delivery of a community-based WASH programme. Methods and analysis: WASH for WORMS is a cluster-randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that a community-based WASH intervention integrated with periodic mass distribution of albendazole will be more effective in reducing infections ..

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