Comparison of Albendazole and Mebendazole on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among School-Aged Children

BACKGROUND: Anthelmintics, such as albendazole and mebendazole, are widely used to treat soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). With its extensive usage and administration along with other medical prescriptions, different environmental conditions, etc., some studies have reported unsatisfactory efficacy from albendazole to treat STHs. AIM: To observe the efficacy of albendazole and mebendazole as a single dose in treating STH infections in elementary school children. METHODS: An open randomized clinical trial was conducted in Batubara, North Sumatra, comparing the efficacy of albendazole and mebendazole. Samples were 6−12-year-old children infected with STHs based on Kato-Katz examination. A Chi-square test was performed to compare the cure rate and a t-test was done to compare the number of eggs per gram (EPG) feces in both groups. RESULT: A total of 199 children from 426 met the study criteria. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the cure rate of Ascaris lumbricoides infections at 87.5% and 31% for albendazole and mebendazole groups, respectively. The cure rate of Trichuris trichiura infection at 61.5% and 65.6% with albendazole and mebendazole, respectively, and there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the number of eggs of all STHs after the treatment either with albendazole or mebendazole. CONCLUSION: Single-dose albendazole has better efficacy against Ascaris lumbricoides infection than mebendazole. Meanwhile, both albendazole and mebendazole have high efficacy in reducing the number of eggs.

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