INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis caused by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni is a neglected tropical disease and a persistent public health problem in Brazil. This disease is associated with poverty due to the population's limited access to basic sanitation, hygiene, and healthcare. Mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel in high-risk communities is one of the tools to reduce morbidity and mortality. In the municipality of Conde, a socially vulnerable endemic area of Bahia, Brazil, MDA was implemented during a cohort study. Herein, we report the experience of MDA of praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis in this community. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out in rural communities in the municipality of Conde, state of Bahia, Brazil. The inclusion criteria consisted of being a local resident between 4 and 70 years of age. All participants performed parasitological tests by the Kato-Katz method (KK). All eligible individuals that attended MDA for schistosomiasis were treated with Praziquantel. Questionnaires were applied before and after treatment to check for contraindications and adverse effects. Cure control was performed after 30 days with stool examination by the same method. The study was previously approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB-Fiocruz). Data collection and management were done through the REDCap digital platform. RESULTS: 411 individuals living in this endemic area were recruited by health professionals to receive treatment for schistosomiasis. 295 (71.8%) participants attended the MDA event, however, 23 (7.8%) had contraindications (pregnant/lactating women) and 11 (3.7%) individuals had difficulty or refusal to take the medication, mostly children. Overall, 272 (92.2%) of the recruited individuals received MDA. 148 (54.4%) individuals tested positive in KK stool examination. Thirty days after the MDA, stool samples from 236 individuals were examined, and 7 (1.3%) remained positive. 242 participants answered an interview after treatment, of which 179 (74.0%) reported transient adverse effects, including dizziness 157 (64.9%), nausea 122 (50.4 %), abdominal pain 70 (28.9%), headache 70 (28.9%), and lack of appetite 65 (26.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a satisfactory attendance of the participants for de MDA. We identified few participants with contraindications for the use of praziquantel. Although the majority reported adverse effects after the treatment, these were mild and self-limiting. Therefore, this study showed that MDA with praziquantel was well tolerated and effectively reduced the KK positivity in short time. However, in combination with drug administration, social and environmental changes are necessary for the long term to eradicate this persistent public health problem in Brazil.