scholarly journals Lymphatic Filariasis in India: A Journey towards Elimination

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (03) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Srivastava Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Drug Compliance ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Community Volunteers ◽  
Assessment Survey

The journey towards elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) in India started with the deliberations in a meeting held at Delhi in 1996 recommending for pilot project of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with DEC. Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF was launched in 2000 subsequent to World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution in 1997 making India as signatory. ELF campaign was launched on 5th June, 2004 with annual MDA in endemic districts. However, all the endemic districts could not initiate MDA due to logistics and preparedness issues, thus the journey initially experienced challenges of hurried start. Serious Adverse Events (SAE) and poor compliance were reported from many states which were tackled through advocacy and capacity building of health workers and community volunteers. MDA was managed with staggering of dates in different states and strong supervision helped in improving drug compliance. The improved reported drug coverage resulted in decline of microfilaria prevalence in many districts except some districts. India’s significant progress was recognised internationally as approximately 200 of 650 million population at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) was made free of risk by 2017 by passing Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) though some districts could not clear TAS. Efforts to improve drug compliance were intensified and to achieve goal faster, MDA with three drug Ivermectin, DEC and Albendazole has been initiated in addition to ascertaining the current status of LF endemicity in non-MDA districts. Based on experience of long journey towards ELF with mix of success and challenges, it is suggested to intensify ELF in a mission mode with priority.

scholarly journals Progress towards elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Americas region

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S33-S38
Author(s):  
Gilberto Fontes ◽  
Eliana Maria Mauricio da Rocha ◽  
Ronaldo Guilherme Carvalho Scholte ◽  
Rubén Santiago Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Wuchereria Bancrofti ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vector Species ◽  
Effective Coverage ◽  
The Third ◽  
Assessment Survey ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Important Progress

Abstract In South and Central America, lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, which is transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus, the only vector species in this region. Of the seven countries considered endemic for LF in the Americas in the last decade, Costa Rica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago were removed from the World Health Organization list in 2011. The remaining countries, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Haiti, have achieved important progress in recent years. Brazil was the first country in the Americas to stop mass drug administration (MDA) and to establish post-MDA surveillance. Dominican Republic stopped MDA in all LF-endemic foci: La Ciénaga and Southwest passed the third Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) and the Eastern focus passed TAS-1 in 2018. Haiti passed the TAS and interrupted transmission in >80% of endemic communes, achieving effective drug coverage. Guyana implemented effective coverage in MDAs in 2017 and 2018 and in 2019 scaled up the treatment for 100% of the geographical region, introducing ivermectin in the MDA in order to achieve LF elimination by the year 2026. The Americas region is on its way to eliminating LF transmission. However, efforts should be made to improve morbidity management to prevent disability of the already affected populations.

scholarly journals Comparison of 3 Days Amoxicillin Versus 5 Days Co-Trimoxazole for Treatment of Fast-breathing Pneumonia by Community Health Workers in Children Aged 2–59 Months in Pakistan: A Cluster-randomized Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-404
Author(s):  
Salim Sadruddin ◽  
Ibad ul Haque Khan ◽  
Matthew P Fox ◽  
Abdul Bari ◽  
Attaullah Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Risk Difference ◽  
Community Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Oral Amoxicillin ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Globally, most deaths due to childhood pneumonia occur at the community level. Some countries are still using oral co-trimoxazole, despite a World Health Organization recommendation of oral amoxicillin for the treatment of fast-breathing pneumonia in children at the community level. Methods We conducted an unblinded, cluster-randomized, controlled-equivalency trial in Haripur District, Pakistan. Children 2–59 months of age with fast-breathing pneumonia were treated with oral amoxicillin suspension (50 mg/kg/day) for 3 days in 14 intervention clusters and oral co-trimoxazole suspension (8 mg trimethoprim/kg and 40 mg sulfamethoxazole/kg/day) for 5 days in 14 control clusters by lady health workers (LHW). The primary outcome was treatment failure by day 4 for intervention clusters and by day 6 for control clusters. The analysis was per protocol. Results Out of the 15 749 cases enrolled in the study, 9153 cases in intervention and 6509 cases in control clusters were included in the analysis. Treatment failure rates were 3.6% (326) in intervention clusters and 9.1% (592) in control clusters. After adjusting for clustering, the risk of treatment failure was lower in intervention clusters (risk difference [RD] -5.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -7.4–-3.7%) than in control clusters. Children with incomplete adherence had a small increase in treatment failure versus those with complete adherence (RD 2.9%, 95% CI 1.6–4.1%). No deaths or serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions A 3-day course of oral amoxicillin, administered by LHWs, is an effective and safe treatment for fast-breathing pneumonia in children 2–59 months of age. A shorter course of amoxicillin improves adherence to therapy, is low in cost, and puts less pressure on antimicrobial resistance. Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN10618300.

scholarly journals African regional progress and status of the programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: 2000–2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S22-S27
Author(s):  
Kebede Deribe ◽  
Didier K Bakajika ◽  
Honorat Marie-Gustave Zoure ◽  
John O Gyapong ◽  
David H Molyneux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vector Control ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Malaria Vector Control ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
African Region ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy

Abstract To eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a campaign against the disease. Since the launch in 2000, significant progress has been made to achieve this ambitious goal. In this article we review the progress and status of the LF programme in Africa through the WHO neglected tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy databank, the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) portal and other publications. In the African Region there are 35 countries endemic for LF. The Gambia was reclassified as not requiring preventive chemotherapy in 2015, while Togo and Malawi eliminated LF as a public health problem in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Cameroon discontinued mass drug administration (MDA) and transitioned to post-MDA surveillance to validate elimination. The trajectory of coverage continues to accelerate; treatment coverage increased from 0.1% in 2000 to 62.1% in 2018. Geographical coverage has also significantly increased, from 62.7% in 2015 to 78.5% in 2018. In 2019, 23 of 31 countries requiring MDA achieved 100% geographic coverage. Although much remains to be done, morbidity management and disability prevention services have steadily increased in recent years. Vector control interventions conducted by other programmes, particularly malaria vector control, have had a profound effect in stopping transmission in some endemic countries in the region. In conclusion, significant progress has been made in the LF programme in the region while we identify the key remaining challenges in achieving an Africa free of LF.

scholarly journals ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE OF THE SPUTNIK V VACCINE IN HEALTH WORKERS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanina Pagotto ◽  
Analia Ferloni ◽  
María Mercedes Soriano ◽  
Morena Díaz ◽  
Manuel Braguisnky Golde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Self Report ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Systemic Reactions ◽  
Medical Evaluation

AbstractIntroductionThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination against Sars Cov-2 coronavirus to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic. On December 29th, the Argentine Ministry of Health started a vaccination plan with the Sputnik V vaccine emphasizing the registration of the Events Supposedly Attributed to Vaccines and Immunizations (ESAVI) in the National Surveillance System. The aim of this study is to determine the safety of this vaccine.MethodsIn an ongoing cohort study, health professionals from Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires vaccinated with the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine (a rAd26 vector-based) were followed up. Safety at 72 hs was analysed from a self-report form. Local and systemic reactions were characterized as mild, moderate and severe. Incident rates were calculated per 1000 person-hours by age groups and gender. Adjusted hazard ratio and 95% Confidence Interval (HR; 95%CI) is obtained by Cox Regression Model.Results707 health professionals (mean age 35, 67% female) were vaccinated, response rate was 96,6% and 71,3% reported at least one ESAVI. Rate was 6.3 per 1.000 person-hours. Among local reactions, 54% reported pain at the injection site, 11% redness and swelling. Among systemic reactions 40% reported fever, 5% diarrhea and 68% new or worsened muscle pain. Five percent had serious adverse events that required medical evaluation and one inpatient.ESAVI rate was higher among females (65.4% vs 50%; HR 1.38, 95%CI 1.13-5.38) and in younger than 55 years-old (72.8% vs 32%; HR 2.66, 95%CI 1.32-1.68).ConclusionActive surveillance on safety for vaccines with emergency approval is mandatory. This study shows high rates of local and systemic reactions however early serious events were rare. Short term safety is supported by these preliminary findings. Studies on long term safety and efficacy, accoding sex and age, are needed.

scholarly journals Achievements and challenges of lymphatic filariasis elimination in Sierra Leone

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008877
Author(s):  
Yakuba M. Bah ◽  
Jusufu Paye ◽  
Mohamed S. Bah ◽  
Abdulai Conteh ◽  
Victoria Redwood-Sawyerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
School Based ◽  
Spot Check ◽  
Western Area ◽  
Finger Prick ◽  
Assessment Survey

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted for elimination in Sierra Leone. Epidemiological coverage of mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole had been reported >65% in all 12 districts annually. Eight districts qualified to implement transmission assessment survey (TAS) in 2013 but were deferred until 2017 due to the Ebola outbreak (2014–2016). In 2017, four districts qualified for conducting a repeat pre-TAS after completing three more rounds of MDA and the final two districts were also eligible to implement a pre-TAS. Methodology/Principal findings For TAS, eight districts were surveyed as four evaluation units (EU). A school-based survey was conducted in children aged 6–7 years from 30 clusters per EU. For pre-TAS, one sentinel and one spot check site per district (with 2 spot check sites in Bombali) were selected and 300–350 persons aged 5 years and above were selected. For both surveys, finger prick blood samples were tested using the Filariasis Test Strips (FTS). For TAS, 7,143 children aged 6–7 years were surveyed across four EUs, and positives were found in three EUs, all below the critical cut-off value for each EU. For the repeat pre-TAS/pre-TAS, 3,994 persons over five years of age were surveyed. The Western Area Urban had FTS prevalence of 0.7% in two sites and qualified for TAS, while other five districts had sites with antigenemia prevalence >2%: 9.1–25.9% in Bombali, 7.5–19.4% in Koinadugu, 6.1–2.9% in Kailahun, 1.3–2.3% in Kenema and 1.7% - 3.7% in Western Area Rural. Conclusions/Significance Eight districts in Sierra Leone have successfully passed TAS1 and stopped MDA, with one more district qualified for conducting TAS1, a significant progress towards LF elimination. However, great challenges exist in eliminating LF from the whole country with repeated failure of pre-TAS in border districts. Effort needs to be intensified to achieve LF elimination.

scholarly journals Accreditation of private midwifery and nursing schools in Mali: a local sustainable solution to increasing the supply of qualified health workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheick Oumar Touré ◽  
Sujata Bijou ◽  
Melanie Joiner ◽  
Andrew Brown ◽  
Jeanne Tessougué ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Worker ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Nursing Schools ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quality Of Education

Abstract Background The World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health (HRH) emphasizes the importance of dynamic and effective health worker regulation for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, with the establishment of education standards and quality assurance of education programs being critical. Governments in West Africa have struggled to address the problems within their higher education systems for health professionals, and it is now generally acknowledged that private institutions can play a crucial role in revitalizing the region’s outdated universities. However, the rapid expansion of private schools raises concerns about the quality of education and adequacy of regulatory mechanisms. The USAID-funded Mali HRH Strengthening Activity, led by IntraHealth International, assisted Mali’s Ministry of Health and Social Development to deliver targeted HRH interventions to improve the quality of education in private universities, better manage available health workers, and initiate a decentralized strategy for health worker recruitment and motivation. Case presentation In 2018, the HRH activity leveraged the West African Health Organization (WAHO)’s accreditation system to support 10 private nursing schools to introduce WAHO’s regionally accepted, competency-based curriculum in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health. The project undertook a 10-step process to work alongside private nursing and midwifery schools to assess their current status against WAHO regional standards, implement action plans to address identified gaps, and support the institutions toward accreditation. As a result, eight schools in Mali are now accredited compared to only three at project inception. Conclusions This case study underscores the importance of private school accreditation in Mali to improve the quality of health worker training through a standardized local curriculum. By supporting existing regulatory bodies that oversee accreditation, local capacity for initial accreditation of private nursing schools has been increased. Engaging universities in a partnership that shows the benefits of accreditation while maintaining a focus on the need to protect communities is critical to success. If the global community is to meet the WHO’s predicted health worker shortfall, then private education providers will need to be part of the solution. Robust and engaging health worker education accreditation systems are an essential part of that future.

Hygiene treatment of the hands of health workers is the most important condition for the prevention of infections related to medical care (assessment of the implementation of the pilot project)

2020 ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Nikolay Vladimirovich Shestopalov ◽  
◽  
Izabella Aleksandrovna Khrapunova ◽  
Tatyana Nikolaevna Shestopalova ◽  
Vasiliy Gennadevich Akimkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Important Condition ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Prevention Of Infections

Heterocycles in the Treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kush K. Maheshwari ◽  
Debasish Bandyopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Heterocyclic Compounds ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect a huge population of the world and majority of the victims belong to the poor community of the developing countries. Until now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 20 tropical diseases as NTDs that must be addressed with high priority. However, many heterocyclic scaffolds have demonstrated potent therapeutic activity against several NTDs. Objective: There are three major objectives: (1) To discuss the causes, symptoms, and current status of all the 20 NTDs; (2) To explore the available heterocyclic drugs, and their mechanism of actions (if known) that are being used to treat NTDs; (3) To develop general awareness on NTDs among the medicinal/health research community and beyond. Methods: The 20 NTDs have been discussed according to their alphabetic orders along with the possible heterocyclic remedies. Current status of treatment with an emphasis on the heterocyclic drugs (commercially available and investigational) has been outlined. In addition, brief discussion of the impacts of NTDs on socio-economic condition is included. Results: NTDs are often difficult to diagnose and the problem is worsened by the unhealthy hygiene, improper awareness, and inadequate healthcare in the developing countries where these diseases primarily affect poor people. The statistics include duration of suffering, numbers affected, and access to healthcare and medication. The mechanism of actions of various heterocyclic drugs, if reported, have been briefly summarized. Conclusion: Scientists and pharmaceutical corporations should allocate more resources to reveal the in-depth mechanism of actions of many heterocyclic drugs that are currently being used for the treatment of NTDs. Analysis of current heterocyclic compounds and development of new medications can help in the fight to reduce/remove the devastating effects of NTDs. An opinion-based concise review has been presented. Based on available literature, this is the first effect to present all the 20 NTDs and related heterocyclic compounds under the same umbrella.

Non-compliance to Mass Drug Administration Associated with the Low Perception of the Community Members About their Susceptibility to Lymphatic Filariasis in Ankobra, Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-174
Author(s):  
Ilo Dicko ◽  
Yaya Ibrahim Coulibaly ◽  
Modibo Sangaré ◽  
Bismark Sarfo ◽  
Priscillia Awo Nortey
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Compliance Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
Degree Of Association

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease that has been targeted for elimination through the Mass Drug Administration (MDA.) Although the MDA started in the Ankobra community in Ghana in 2000, LF prevalence as reported in 2014 was relatively high (4.5%). Non-compliance to the MDA has been associated with the persistent LF prevalence in endemic regions. Objective: This study determined the factors associated with the non-compliance to the MDA among patients living in the Ankobra community, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a one-stage cluster sampling method was used to collect data between June and July, 2017 in Ankobra. Questionnaires were used to collect data from health workers, the MDA drug distributors and study participants in Ankobra. Data analysis was performed using STATA 14. Logistic regression was used to measure the degree of association between the dependent (non-compliance) and independent variables. Non-compliance rate was defined as the percentage of individuals who self-reported that they did not actually swallow the drugs provided during the MDA. Results: The MDA coverage and non-compliance rates were 73.5% (147/200) and 33.33% (49/147) respectively. The main reason for non-compliance was fear of drug adverse events (75.51%, 37/49). Thought of “not being susceptible to LF” was significantly associated with the non-compliance (aOR= 2.83, [CI= 1.15, 6.98]). Conclusion: Health education about the susceptibility of residents getting LF disease in endemic community must be intensified to improve compliance to MDA medication ingestion and thus meet the Global Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2020.

Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Narrative Review Based on Current Status

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rina Das ◽  
Dinesh Kumar Mehta ◽  
Meenakshi Dhanawat
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
First Case ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract:: A novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), appeared and expanded globally by the end of year in 2019 from Wuhan, China, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. During its initial stage, the disease was called the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). It was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 February 2020. The WHO declared worldwide the SARS-CoV-2 virus a pandemic on March 2020. On 30 January 2020 the first case of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in India. Now in current situation the virus is floating in almost every part of the province and rest of the globe. -: On the basis of novel published evidences, we efficiently summarized the reported work with reference to COVID-19 epidemiology, pathogen, clinical symptoms, treatment and prevention. Using several worldwide electronic scientific databases such as Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Science direct, Scopus, etc were utilized for extensive investigation of relevant literature. -: This review is written in the hope of encouraging the people successfully with the key learning points from the underway efforts to perceive and manage SARS-CoV-2, suggesting sailent points for expanding future research.

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