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?:abstract
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Since COVID-19 pandemic, attention has been drawn to the possible interactions between the deadly disease and a few other infections. Although schistosomiasis and other NTDs have been proposed to influence susceptibility to COVID-19, no study has looked into this. This study investigated the impact of schistosomiasis on the transmission of COVID-19, and also evaluated the role of Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment coverage on COVID-19 outcomes in African countries. The schistosomiasis endemicity and the preventive chemotherapy (PCT) coverage index statuses were obtained from the WHO databank. The COVID-19 data was obtained from COVID-19 Worldometer\'s report. The data were adjusted and the percentage COVID-19 confirmed, active cases, recovery, and deaths were computed. The COVID-19 outcomes were evaluated relative to schistosomiasis endemicity and treatment coverage. COVID-19 outcomes, especially, the active cases and recovery rates were significantly improved in schistosomiasis non-endemic African countries (p < 0.05). While COVID-19 confirmed cases were significantly higher in countries with > 75% schistosomiasis PCT coverage index (p <0.05), improved COVID-19 outcomes were observed relative to active cases and recovery in countries with > 75% PCT coverage index (p >0.05). This study showed that schistosomiasis endemicity could be associated with negative COVID-19 outcomes and higher PZQ treatment coverage could reduce COVID-19 active cases and improve the recovery rate.
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