A general framework to support cost-efficient survey design choices for the control of soil-transmitted helminths when deploying Kato-Katz thick smear.

Abstract in brief

• This study developed a simulation framework to identify the most cost-effective survey designs for monitoring soil-transmitted helminths (STH) using the Kato-Katz thick smear method, considering various operational and biological factors.
• The findings suggest that for detecting any STH infection, using duplicate Kato-Katz tests on 4 to 6 schools with 64 to 70 children per school is most efficient, while for moderate-to-heavy intensity infections, a single Kato-Katz test on 11 to 25 schools with 52 to 84 children per school is recommended.
• The researchers recommend using duplicate Kato-Katz tests to determine whether to stop preventive chemotherapy and a single test to declare STH elimination, highlighting the method’s usefulness for program monitoring and evaluation.]