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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00344669

Effect of Mass Deworming on Child Growth

The purpose of the study was to determine whether periodical mass deworming improves growth in children below six years of age.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Weight for Age in Preschool Children Body Weight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Thinness

Age range

1 year–7 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

48 parishes in Eastern Uganda

Kampala, Uganda

About this study

Many children in developing countries get slowed growth because of heavy loads of intestinal helminths. Quite often treatment is not sought because there may not be any obvious symptoms. Slowed growth may manifest as low weight for age or low height for age.

The objective of the study was to estimate the effectiveness of the delivery of an anthelmintic drug through a community child health program on the weight gain of preschool aged children.

Design: This was a cluster randomized controlled trial in 48 parishes in Eastern Uganda. All 48 parishes were participating in a new program for child health; 24 were randomly assigned to offer to children an additional service of anthelmintic treatment. The intervention was 400 mg of albendazole added to the standard services at child days over a 3 years period. All children were offered the drug and the main outcome measure was weight gain.

Results: A total of 27,995 children were recruited into the 2 arms of the study with 14,940 in the treatment arm and 13,055 in the control arm. The intervention arm got an increase in weight gain of about 10% (166 grams per child per year (CI: 16-316) above expected weight gain when treatment was taken twice a year and an increase of 5% when treatment was received approximately annually.

Conclusion: The inclusion of deworming in regularly scheduled health services appears practical and capable of increasing child growth.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • children 1-6 years

Exclusion criteria

-

Treatment and study plan

Albendazole 400 mg, given 6 monthly

Drug

Primary outcomes

  1. weight gain

  2. weight for age

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Makerere University

Other

Collaborators

  • Ministry of Health, Uganda
  • World Bank

Registry information

Official study title

Increased Weight Gain in Preschool Children Due to Mass Albendazole Treatment Given During "Child Health Days" in Uganda

Important dates

Study start
2000
Study completion
2003
First posted
Jun 27, 2006
Registry last updated
Oct 17, 2006

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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