Kiribati
Kiribati is a small country in the Central Pacific Ocean, made up of 30 atolls and reef islands within three island groups. There is an approximate population of 120,000 people, and over half of the population live on one atoll, Tarawa, which is the urban centre of the country.
In 2023, World Scabies Program (WSP), in partnership with Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), carried out a national prevalence survey for scabies, the first of its kind in the country. The prevalence survey found that approximately one quarter of the population had scabies, with young children and infants affected at even higher rates.
In 2025, WSP, with MHMS and The Fred Hollows Foundation, carried out a national, integrated mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for scabies and trachoma, to tackle the high burden of both diseases. Trachoma is another neglected tropical disease (NTD), and coordinating the two MDAs together created a streamlined and efficient approach to tackling multiple diseases in the community at once.
Our work
Nationally integrated MDA for scabies and trachoma complete
Kiribati reached a huge milestone in 2025 by completing the first-ever national integrated MDA program to address both scabies and trachoma—two preventable and treatable diseases that affect communities throughout the country. Kiribati is the first country in the world to carry out a nationally integrated MDA campaign for both scabies and trachoma.
This feat was the result of an exciting partnership between Kiribati MHMS, WSP, and The Fred Hollows Foundation. The MDA started in the urban centre, South Tarawa, in April, before extending out to the Outer Islands, finishing in Kiritimati Island in August. The MDA reached 87% of the i-Kiribati population, exceeding the 80% coverage target, which is a testament to the tireless efforts of everyone involved.
MDA launch event at Kiribati Parliament in South Tarawa, April 2025
MDA dosing event at Te Toa Matoa, South Tarawa, April 2025
MDA dosing event at Te Toa Matoa, South Tarawa, April 2025
Kiribati completes post-MDA national scabies prevalence survey
In November, 2025, WSP Kiribati conducted a post-MDA national prevalence survey to assess the impact of the integrated MDA on scabies prevalence. 12 survey teams made up of a skin examiner and a data collector completed a 3-day training program facilitated by WSP Kiribati staff, that included a visit to a nearby village for a mock survey, where they put their training to the test.
The survey ran for two weeks across parts of South Tarawa and randomly selected Outer Islands, and reached over 10,000 residents. The results have provided insights into the current burden of scabies and associated condition bacterial skin infection following the 2025 MDA, by comparing the data to the 2023 baseline estimate. Completing this survey is a noteworthy achievement in Kiribati’s ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of scabies at a national level. The information gathered will play a key role in shaping future scabies control activities.
Skin examination during the prevalence survey, November 2025
Skin examination during the prevalence survey, November 2025
Skin examination during the prevalence survey in Kiribati, October 2023
Kiribati prevalence survey training, October 2023
Kiribati National Scabies Baseline Prevalence Survey
WSP collaborated with Kiribati MHMS to assess the prevalence of scabies in the country, through a national prevalence survey in 2023. Over 10,000 people of all ages were examined for scabies and bacterial skin infection across Kiribati's five divisions. A two-stage random cluster-sample methodology was used, randomly selecting villages or urban areas followed by a random selection of households.
The survey found a high burden of scabies, with around a quarter of the population affected by the disease. Based on WHO recommendations, MDA is recommended in areas with community prevalence above 10%, which prompted the MHMS to collaborate with WSP to implement a national scabies program.
Skin examination during the prevalence survey in Kiribati, October 2023
Supported by
Our partners
