Table 1. Comparison of TAS and STH survey criteria.
| Characteristic | TAS (LF)1 | STH survey2 |
| Primary assessment | Stopping MDA, interruption of transmission | Determining MDA frequency |
| Evaluation area | Evaluation unit (one or more implementation units) | Ecologic zone(s) |
| Location | Schools if primary enrollment ≥75% Households if primary enrollment <75% | Schools |
| Target age group | 6–7 year olds (1st–2nd grade for school surveys) | 3rd grade children |
| Sampling strategy | LQAS3 (cluster or systematic survey), or census | Cluster survey |
| Child selection | Fixed proportion (sampling interval) | Fixed number per school |
| Sample size | Cluster: 759–1692, Systematic: 284–846 | ∼250 per ecological zone |
| Sample size incorporates measurement of error | Yes | No |
| Diagnostic specimen | Blood | Stool |
| Diagnostic tool | Immunochromatographic (ICT) test4 | Kato-Katz |
| Programmatic decision criteria | Critical cutoff value | Point estimate |
1
World Health Organization (2011) Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: Monitoring and epidemiological assessment of mass drug administration: a manual for national elimination programs. Geneva.
2
World Health Organization (2011) Helminth control in school-age children: a guide for managers of control programmes – 2nd ed. Geneva.
3
Lot quality assurance sampling.
4
For W. bancrofti.