Integrated approach in the control and management of skin neglected tropical diseases in Lalo, Benin

Introduction: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) include a group of about 20 illnesses that have garnered relatively little attention, despite their ability to inflict significant suffering and disability. Skin neglected tropical diseases (sNTDs) are a subset of NTDs that present with cutaneous manifestations and are well known for their ability to generate stigma and promote poverty. Teledermatology (TD) represents a potential method to control sNTDs. Objective: We sought to analyze the potential for TD to ease the burden of sNTDs. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using the Texas Medical Center Library One Search, which scans 167 databases, including Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. We included all original investigations published after 2011 that assessed the impact of TD intervention in the control of one or more sNTDs. We excluded studies not written in English and studies that did not perform any outcome analyses. Results: 20 studies met our search criteria, and 18 expressed positive attitudes towards TD. Overall, we found that TD may be a sustainable, cost-effective strategy for expanding access to care for individuals afflicted with sNTDs. However, poor image quality, lack of access to further diagnostic tests, and ethical, legal, and cultural issues pose as barriers to TD utilization. Conclusion: TD may be helpful in achieving control of sNTDs but has its limitations. An integrated approach, which employs TD in conjunction with other strategies, represents a realistic path for alleviating sNTDs.

Download Full-text

An Integrated Approach to the Prevention of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): The Way Forward?

Athens Journal of Health ◽

10.30958/ajh.3-2-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 179-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Donald E. Stewart ◽

Budi Laksono ◽

M. J. Park ◽

D. X. Wang

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

The Way

Download Full-text

Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in three health districts of Côte d’Ivoire

10.21203/rs.2.13484/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Aboa Paul Koffi ◽

Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽

YVES Thierry BAROGUI ◽

Gabriel Diez ◽

Simplice Djakeaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Buruli Ulcer ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Skin Conditions ◽

Health Districts

Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For an effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends to affected countries the implementation of integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw three skin NTDs. Method This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 Districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. It was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting. Results In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed as Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients detected, as well as follow up of detected patients including those with other skin conditions. Conclusions The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of a staff capacity building and a minimal care of the detected patients.

Download Full-text

Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in three health districts of Côte d’Ivoire

10.21203/rs.2.13484/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aboa Paul Koffi ◽

Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽

Yves Thierry BAROGUI ◽

Gabriel Diez ◽

Simplice Djakeaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Buruli Ulcer ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Skin Conditions ◽

Health Districts

Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For an effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends to affected countries the implementation of integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw. Method This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 Districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. It was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting. Results We have included in the study all patients with ‘skin signs and symptoms at the screening stage who accepted voluntarily to be screened. In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed as Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients detected, as well as follow up of detected patients including those with other skin conditions. Conclusions The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of a staff capacity building and a minimal care of the detected patients.

Download Full-text

Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in Three Health Districts of Côte d’Ivoire

10.21203/rs.2.13484/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aboa Paul Koffi ◽

Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽

Yves Thierry BAROGUI ◽

Gabriel Diez ◽

Simplice Djakeaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Buruli Ulcer ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Skin Conditions ◽

Health Districts

Abstract Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends that affected countries implement integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs, remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw.Method: This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. The study was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting.Results: We included in the study all patients with skin signs and symptoms at the screening stage who voluntarily accepted screening.In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed with Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients identified, as well as follow-up of identified patients, including those with other skin conditions.Conclusions: The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of staff capacity building and minimal care of identified patients.

Download Full-text