Preventive chemotherapy refers to the administration of drugs to prevent the occurrence or progression of a disease. It is commonly used in the context of infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases like schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis. The goal of preventive chemotherapy is to target populations at risk of these diseases and administer medications to prevent infection, reduce transmission, or halt the progression of the disease.
Whether social workers will deal with preventive chemotherapy depends on the context and scope of their practice. Social workers often work in healthcare settings, community organizations, or public health agencies where they may be involved in various aspects of preventive health interventions. In the context of preventive chemotherapy, social workers may play several roles:
- Community Education and Outreach: Social workers can educate communities about the importance of preventive chemotherapy, dispel myths or misconceptions about the medications, and promote adherence to treatment regimens.
- Access and Equity: Social workers may work to ensure that preventive chemotherapy services are accessible to all members of the community, including marginalized or vulnerable populations who may face barriers to healthcare access.
- Psychosocial Support: Social workers can provide psychosocial support to individuals receiving preventive chemotherapy, addressing any emotional or mental health concerns related to the treatment or the underlying disease.
- Advocacy: Social workers may advocate for policies and programs that support the implementation of preventive chemotherapy interventions, including funding for healthcare services and infrastructure.
- Case Management: In some settings, social workers may be involved in case management for individuals receiving preventive chemotherapy, helping to coordinate care, navigate the healthcare system, and address social determinants of health that may impact treatment adherence.
Preventive chemotherapy is the large-scale delivery of safe, single-administration, quality-assured medicines, either alone or in combination, at regular intervals, to entire population groups.
WHO recommends preventive chemotherapy as the core strategic intervention against four main helminth diseases: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases. Preventive chemotherapy is also a component of the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvements) strategy for the control, prevention and elimination of trachoma. It is recommended also for controlling morbidity due to foodborne trematode infections, and is a strategic component of WHO-recommended strategies against leprosy, scabies, taeniasis and yaws.
Medicines are generally delivered and administered to entire eligible populations or population groups mostly by non-medical personnel following a short training session. Schools, community networks and other social platforms are extensively used as outreach points to maximize coverage.
Preventive chemotherapy is implemented along with complementary public health interventions, such as management of chronic cases and people with disabilities, control of vectors and their intermediate hosts, veterinary public health services, and access to safe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene services. Such measures enhance the impact of the intervention both in terms of controlling morbidity and in decreasing transmission.
Implementation of preventive chemotherapy interventions is made possible thanks to large-scale donations of medicines by the pharmaceutical industry, either through WHO or directly to countries, and to availability of funding for scaling up, through sustained commitment of international donors and enhanced in-country support by the health and education sectors. Between 2015 and 2019, and thanks to additional and increased medicine donations, more than one billion people were treated annually through preventive chemotherapy for at least one of the five diseases amenable to the intervention.
Overall, while social workers may not directly administer medications as part of preventive chemotherapy interventions, they can play a crucial role in supporting individuals and communities through education, advocacy, and psychosocial support to ensure the success of these preventive health efforts.