The 12-year study, published in May 2025, followed residents in Kyela district in the Mbeya region from 2007 to 2019. During that time health authorities gave anti-parasitic drugs in the community and researchers watched people over many years.
The team monitored 1,139 HIV-negative people split into four groups: those never infected, those treated in mass campaigns, a small chronically infected group, and a few who acquired the parasite later. They found fewer new HIV infections in people without the parasite or who were cured than in those with long-term infection.
One year after publication the researchers say little has been done to add lymphatic filariasis elimination to HIV prevention. Mass drug programmes using ivermectin and albendazole are common, so the HIV benefit could be an affordable add-on.
Difficult words
- parasite — a small organism that lives in or on others
- monitor — to watch people or things for a periodmonitored
- infect — to give an illness or parasite to someoneinfected
- elimination — the complete removal or stopping of something
- cure — to make a sick person healthy againcured
- campaign — a planned series of public health actionscampaigns
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think giving anti-parasitic drugs to whole communities is a good idea? Why or why not?
- Have you ever seen a mass health campaign in your area? Describe it briefly.
- How could curing the parasite help reduce new HIV infections?
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