Non-Participation Undermines Mass Drug Administration Effectiveness and Sustains Urogenital Schistosomiasis Transmission in an Endemic Community in Ghana.

A study examined the impact of non-participation in mass drug administration (MDA) against schistosomiasis in the Abee community in Ghana. Schistosomiasis prevalence was detected in 17.1% of participants by urine microscopy and 20.1% by PCR. Only 48.7% of participants had ever participated in MDA, with 31.5% never treated. Disease awareness was present in 60.4% of respondents. Analysis showed that non-participation in MDA and lack of health education significantly increase infection risk, while awareness strongly predicts MDA uptake. Microhaematuria and leukocyturia were detected in 6.7% and 8.4% of participants respectively. Gaps in access to clean water and sanitation enable disease transmission despite ongoing efforts. The study recommends strengthening health education, improving treatment access, and integrating water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.