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Article History

Received: 18 April 2020

Accepted: 29 July 2020

First Online: 12 August 2020

Ethics approval and consent to participate

: The study was approved by the National Ethics Committee for Health Research, Ministry of Health (MoH), Vientiane, Lao PDR (Ref.no.113/2018 NECHR). Permission for fieldwork was obtained from the MoH, the Provincial Health Office (PHD), the District Health Office (DHO) and the District Office of Education and Sports. Village and school meetings were held in each study site. Village authorities, villagers, teachers and students were given detailed explanations about the aims, procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the study. A consent and/or assent form in the local language was read to the participants and their questions answered. Signed informed consent was obtained from all study participants before enrollment. For children (under 18 years old), a signed assent was collected and written informed consent was obtained from their parent or guardian. All study participants infected with <i>O. viverrini</i>, <i>S. mekongi</i> or soil-transmitted helminths (STH) were treated with praziquantel and albendazole, according to the national guidelines [].

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.