Achieving elimination of soil-transmitted helminthiasis as a public health problem in Mali

Mali was historically endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), mainly hookworm in southern regions. STH treatment was integrated with schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis MDA and vitamin A supplementation, with evaluations tracking progress toward elimination.

Baseline surveys (2004–2005) of 13,769 children found 6.3% STH prevalence, highest in Sikasso (22.9%) and Segou (9.4%), hookworm-dominant, with moderate-to-heavy infections up to 9.0% in Sikasso. Integrated evaluations in 2014–2017 (5,776 children) found prevalence had dropped to 0.1% with no moderate-to-heavy infections, confirmed by 2018–2019 surveys across 29 districts.

After over a decade of integrated treatment despite major security challenges, Mali appears to have eliminated STH as a public health problem nationally, one of the first African countries to do so, though continued surveillance in certain regions is warranted.