EFECAB: Improving Pig Management to Prevent Epilepsy in Burkina Faso

EFECAB: Improving Pig Management to Prevent Epilepsy in Burkina Faso

This is a pre-post randomized community-based controlled trial aimed at estimating the effectiveness of an educational package developed using PRECEDE PROCEED to reduce the cumulative incidence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in three Provinces of Burkina Faso. The study design included an 18-months baseline study to measure baseline cumulative incidence of cysticercosis followed by an 18-month post randomization study to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. Sixty villages of three Provinces of Burkina Faso were included. The primary outcome was the change in the baseline to post randomization cumulative incidence in the intervention group compared to the control group.

The unit of randomization and analysis of this study is the village. Therefore, the eligibility criteria were determined at the village level.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Population of at least 1000 at the 2006 census
• Present on the map of the "Institut Géographique du Burkina 2000"
• Separated from another village by at least 5 kilometers.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Village located on a National or Provincial road
• Village located within 20 km of Koudougou or Ouagadougou
• Regional or Provincial Capital
• Absence of pigs in the village

At the individual level, the following eligibility criteria were used:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 5 years old or more
• Has lived in the village for at least 12 months
• Not planning to move in the next three years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of confirmed epilepsy or progressively worsening severe chronic headaches at baseline.