INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of immature Magnifera indica L. (mango) fruit with albendazole in reducing Ascaris lumbricoides infection among children. METHODS: Children aged 2 to 14 years were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial. Participants were randomly allocated to receive 250 mL immature mango fruit puree daily for 3 days or one dose of albendazole 400 mg tablet. Egg reduction rates and cure rates were computed and compared. Adverse effects were monitored during and after administration of treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease between the pre- and post-treatment EPG of those who took immature mango fruit (p < 0.001) and those who took albendazole (p < 0.001). There was a higher ERR and CR for the albendazole group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.472, p = 785, respectively). Risk analysis of reduction in intensity showed mango is non-inferior to albendazole (RR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97; p = 0.026). Risk analysis of cure showed mango is noninferior to albendazole in both PP (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.68, 1.25; p = 0.607) and ITT (RR=0.79, 95% CI 0.58, 1.08; p = 0.139). CONCLUSION Immature Mangifera indica Linn is non-inferior to albendazole in terms of effectiveness in the reduction of ascariasis infection.
Ascariasis