“Rapid-Impact Interventions”: How a Policy of Integrated Control for Africa's Neglected Tropical Diseases Could Benefit the Poor

Abstract Background The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have negatively impacted society, affect quality of life and make the poor societies poorer. Several policies and strategies have been put in place across the world including the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Though chalked many successes, the programme continues to lag behind in the full attainment of various objectives. Several factors exist that determine how effective a programme is implemented. Identification of these factors on every programme is essential to determine where more programme resources need to be channelled. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach with the case study design was employed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify key programme officers at the national, regional and district levels of programme implementation. Eighteen (18) Key informant interviews were conducted at all the three levels of the Ghana Health Service NTDs programme. Data were thematically analysed and presented. Results Findings from the study revealed that determinants that influenced the successful implementation of the NTDs programme include donor support, education and training, partnerships, reliability of the health structure, integrative nature of the programme and management commitment. These determining factors cut across the inner settings of the implementing agency and the external environment. Conclusion Neglected tropical diseases continuously affect Ghanaians, especially the poor. It is important for both policy makers and implementers to identify the factors that ensure the success of the programme in the Ghanaian context. Though the factors are independently sufficient, they synergistically lead to improved programme implementation. Empowering all units involved (local to national level) and maximizing the enabling factors identified to would improve upon implementation and ensure sustainability.

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Neglected tropical diseases

Oxford Handbook of Humanitarian Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780199565276.003.0030 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 463-506

Author(s):

Jan Hajek

Keyword(s):

Clinical Experience ◽

Human African Trypanosomiasis ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Diagnostic Testing ◽

Available P ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

African Trypanosomiasis ◽

Humanitarian Settings ◽

Contextual Features ◽

The Poor

This chapter on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) provides an overview of the background and main contextual features of NTDs, and includes clear guidance on their clinical recognition and management. Recognizing the prevalence of NTDs in humanitarian settings, with their disproportional effect on the poor, this chapter covers the fundamentals of management of NTDs, and is especially helpful for the provider who may have little prior clinical experience with such conditions. It also includes detailed guidance on recognition and diagnosis of the main NTDs, such as dengue, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, and schistosomiasis, in settings with very limited diagnostic testing available.

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Mass Drug Administration and Integrated Control for the World's High-Prevalence Neglected Tropical Diseases

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics ◽

10.1038/clpt.2009.16 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 85 (6) ◽

pp. 659-664 ◽

Cited By ~ 142

Author(s):

PJ Hotez

Keyword(s):

Drug Administration ◽

Mass Drug Administration ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

High Prevalence

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Rapid mapping of schistosomiasis and other neglected tropical diseases in the context of integrated control programmes in Africa

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009005940 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 136 (13) ◽

pp. 1707-1718 ◽

Cited By ~ 95

Author(s):

S. BROOKER ◽

N. B. KABATEREINE ◽

J. O. GYAPONG ◽

J. R. STOTHARD ◽

J. UTZINGER

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Rapid Mapping ◽

Effective Manner ◽

Risk Communities

SUMMARYThere is growing interest and commitment to the control of schistosomiasis and other so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Resources for control are inevitably limited, necessitating assessment methods that can rapidly and accurately identify and map high-risk communities so that interventions can be targeted in a spatially-explicit and cost-effective manner. Here, we review progress made with (1) mapping schistosomiasis across Africa using available epidemiological data and, more recently, climate-based risk prediction; (2) the development and use of morbidity questionnaires for rapid identification of high-risk communities of urinary schistosomiasis; and (3) innovative sampling-based approaches for intestinal schistosomiasis, using the lot quality assurance sampling technique. Experiences are also presented for the rapid mapping of other NTDs, including onchocerciasis, loiasis and lymphatic filariasis. Future directions for an integrated rapid mapping approach targeting multiple NTDs simultaneously are outlined, including potential challenges in developing an integrated survey tool. The lessons from the mapping of human helminth infections may also be relevant for the rapid mapping of malaria as its control efforts are intensified.

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic towards Common Neglected Tropical Diseases among Indigenous Group in Malaysia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-120974/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mehru Nisha ◽

Muhammad Alif Naim ◽

Fabian Davamani

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Orang Asli ◽

Minority Community ◽

The Poor ◽

Indigenous Group ◽

High Prevalence ◽

The World ◽

Infection Monitoring

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 is a pandemic which heavily affected all walks of around the world. Whilst all people are affected could be from to job losses, increase in poverty, sudden death of family member or loved ones and so many others, the indigenous communities in Malaysia do face severity of the Covid 19 pandemic effect. As being the minority community with lack of proper income, lack of education and incapable of adjusting themselves to new norm and living in areas with high prevalence of disease for the poor, like neglected tropical diseases- the overall impact of Covid 19 showed inequalities for the Indigenous (Orang Asli) community in Malaysia. Here we discuss on some of the challenges faced by Orang Asli community in Malaysia and how the pandemic hampered neglected tropical diseases like STHs infection monitoring in Malaysia.

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The burden of neglected tropical diseases in Ethiopia, and opportunities for integrated control and elimination

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/1756-3305-5-240 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Kebede Deribe ◽

Kadu Meribo ◽

Teshome Gebre ◽

Asrat Hailu ◽

Ahmed Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Tropical Diseases

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RESISTING CONTROL OF NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES: DILEMMAS IN THE MASS TREATMENT OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS IN NORTH-WEST UGANDA

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932007002301 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 161-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

MELISSA PARKER ◽

TIM ALLEN ◽

JULIE HASTINGS

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Treatment Resistance ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Mass Treatment ◽

North West ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

Free Treatment ◽

Effective Delivery

SummaryA strong case has recently been made by academics and policymakers to develop national programmes for the integrated control of Africa’s ‘neglected tropical diseases’. Uganda was the first country to develop a programme for the integrated control of two of these diseases: schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths. This paper discusses social responses to the programme in Panyimur, north-west Uganda. It shows that adults are increasingly rejecting free treatment. Resistance is attributed to a subjective fear of side-effects; divergence between biomedical and local understandings of schistosomiasis/bilharzia; as well as inappropriate and inadequate health education. In addition, the current procedures for distributing drugs at a district level are problematic. Additional research was carried out in neighbouring areas to explore the generalizability of findings. Comparable problems have arisen. It is concluded that the national programme will not fulfil its stated objectives of establishing a local demand for mass treatment unless it can establish more effective delivery strategies and promote behavioural change in socially appropriate ways. To do so will require new approaches to social, economic and political aspects of distribution. There are reasons why populations infected with the ‘neglected tropical diseases’ are themselves neglected. Those reasons cannot just be wished away.

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