scholarly journals Towards the trachoma elimination target in the Southern region of Ethiopia: How well is the SAFE strategy being implemented?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (06.1) ◽  
pp. 3S-9S ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekuria Asfaw ◽  
Maria Zolfo ◽  
Nebiyu Negussu ◽  
Fantahun Tadesse ◽  
Tafese Tadele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recent Progress ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Active Trachoma ◽  
Safe Strategy ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Prevalence

Introduction: Trachoma is one of the 20 neglected tropical diseases and a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. To reach the WHO elimination target by 2020, SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement) strategy has been implemented in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPRs), Ethiopia. Scarce evidence exists regarding recent progress in achieving elimination of active trachoma (< 5%) and how well the SAFE strategy implemented. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of programmatic data in the period 2013-2018 was used. All trachoma endemic districts in SNNPR were included. Data collected from the Federal Ministry of Health on trachoma prevalence and SAFE strategy were analyzed. Results: Out of 134 endemic districts, only 35 had their planned impact survey, of which only 11 districts achieved the elimination target. Six districts reverted backwards from eliminated status to low (1) or moderate (5) level. The median prevalence of active trachoma in these 35 districts was 10% in 2017/18. In 2017, the mean antibiotic treatment coverage was 90%, but only 56% and 68% of districts implemented and reported on “F” and “E” components, respectively. In the high prevalence districts, only 10% delivered their planned five rounds of Zithromax® mass distribution. Conclusions: These data showed a lack in planned impact surveys with only a limited number of districts reached the WHO elimination threshold by 2018. Lack of attention on high prevalent districts, and recent reversal of trachoma eliminated districts to moderate or low prevalence levels argue for urgent and prioritized implementation of the SAFE strategy.

scholarly journals LAMP in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Focus on Parasites

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 521
Author(s):  
Juan García-Bernalt Diego ◽  
Pedro Fernández-Soto ◽  
Antonio Muro
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
World Population ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Early 21St Century

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly those caused by parasites, remain a major Public Health problem in tropical and subtropical regions, with 10% of the world population being infected. Their management and control have been traditionally hampered, among other factors, by the difficulty to deploy rapid, specific, and affordable diagnostic tools in low resource settings. This is especially true for complex PCR-based methods. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques, particularly loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), appeared in the early 21st century as an alternative to PCR, allowing for a much more affordable molecular diagnostic. Here, we present the status of LAMP assays development in parasite-caused NTDs. We address the progress made in different research applications of the technique: xenomonitoring, epidemiological studies, work in animal models and clinical application both for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment success. Finally, we try to shed a light on the improvements needed to achieve a true point-of-care test and the future perspectives in this field.

scholarly journals Whatever happened to China’s neglected tropical diseases?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Hotez
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Tropical Disease ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Neglected Tropical Disease ◽  
Tropical Diseases

Abstract Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China 70 years ago, both extreme poverty and parasitic infections and other neglected tropical diseases were highly prevalent. Owing to social development, particularly economic reforms since the 1980s, poverty has since been dramatically reduced, and China became increasingly urbanized and industrialized. In parallel, China’s economic transformation translated into similar and remarkable reductions in neglected tropical diseases. Qian and colleagues report in their review published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty, the elimination or near elimination as a public health problem of lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminth infections, schistosomiasis and other neglected tropical diseases. Of note, neglected tropical disease control and poverty reduction each appear to reinforce the other. China’s formula for success in parasitic and neglected tropical disease control might translate to other parts of the world, such as in sub-Saharan Africa through China’s new Belt and Road Initiative.

scholarly journals Can we eradicate trachoma? A survey of stakeholders

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-315815
Author(s):  
Catherine E Oldenburg ◽  
Solomon Aragie ◽  
Abdou Amza ◽  
Anthony W Solomon ◽  
Jessica Brogdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Operational Research ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Important Goal ◽  
Tremendous Progress ◽  
Global Eradication

Background/AimsAlthough tremendous progress towards the 2020 goal of global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem has been made, it will not be achieved. Future targets are now being considered. One option is changing the goal to eradication. We surveyed trachoma experts to assess beliefs related to trachoma eradication and determine perceived obstacles to achieving it.MethodsWe conducted a survey at the beginning of a trachoma eradication session at the 2019 Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, USA. We asked respondents what the most important goal of azithromycin mass drug administration was for trachoma (control, elimination of infection or eradication) and if and when they believed trachoma eradication would occur. We then asked what the biggest obstacles were to global eradication.ResultsFifty-six surveys were returned (95%). Most (91%) participants reported that the most important goal of azithromycin mass drug administration was control or elimination of infection, and 24% of participants reported that global eradication was not possible. Of the 76% who reported a year by which they believed trachoma could be eradicated, most fell between 2040 and 2050. Commonly cited barriers to global eradication included lack of surveillance tools to confirm eradication or monitor for infection recrudescence (32%) and lack of resources (23%).ConclusionsDevelopment of alternative indicators for trachoma surveillance and continued investment in trachoma programmes, particularly focused support in the most heavily affected populations, might increase enthusiasm for the feasibility of eradication.

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis control in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire: implementing control on a limited budget

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (13) ◽  
pp. 1739-1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. TCHUEM TCHUENTÉ ◽  
E. K. N'GORAN
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis

SUMMARYSchistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis occur throughout the developing world and remain a major public health problem in the poorest communities with enormous consequences for development. The extent of the problem has long been neglected because these diseases rarely kill at a young age and also because of their insidious nature. Today there exists a momentum and an unprecedented opportunity for a cost-effective control of these neglected tropical diseases. The control of these diseases has become a priority on the agenda of many governments, donors and international agencies. This paper highlights the progress made and future control activities in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire, where schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis control measures have been implemented over the past decade with limited budgets. In Cameroon, deworming activities were increased to encompass all ten regions in 2007 as a result of a co-ordinated effort of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education with national and international partners. In Côte d'Ivoire, focal control activities were achieved with support from various partners. Prospects, opportunities and challenges for the control of neglected tropical diseases in these two countries are discussed.

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

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.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, northern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw ◽  
Ayele Mamo Abebe ◽  
Kirubel Dagnaw Tegegne ◽  
Mikiyas Amare Getu ◽  
Woldemichael Tadesse Bihonegn
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Active Trachoma ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background: Trachoma is a neglected eye disease and an important cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection can occur in early childhood and following recurrent episodes, it progresses to scarring and visual impairment. Trachoma disappeared from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but the disease is still a challenge in developing countries. In Ethiopia, data indicate that Amhara is the region with the highest prevalence of active trachoma. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, Amhara region, Ethiopia.Methods: In this study, 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma by using cluster-sampling technique. Following pre-testing of the survey instrument in a different district, questions about socio-demographic status were delivered for heads of households. Integrated eye care workers, previously trained to undertake trachoma screening for one month, performed eye examination. The logistic regression model was used to look for associations of active trachoma.Results: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district was 22%. Low economic status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.8 (95% CI 1.3–11.4), being 37– 48 months old (4.2; 1.5–12.0), living in a house with thatched roof (4.4;1.4–13.6), presence of flies in a home (4.6;2.1–9.9), once-weekly face-washing frequency (8.6;2.5–29.3), having a face that had not been washed for longer than a week (10.6;2.9–37.7), and not using soap (4.5;1.8–11.3) had association to active trachomaConclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla district was high. This indicates that Trachoma is still a public health problem in the district. This high prevalence calls for further interventions to prevent future trachomatis blindness.

scholarly journals New Contributions to the Elimination of Chagas Disease as a Public Health Problem: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Jorg Heukelbach ◽  
Andréa Silvestre de Sousa ◽  
Alberto Novaes Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
First Time

Despite being described for the first time more than 110 years ago, Chagas disease persists as one of the most neglected tropical diseases [...]

scholarly journals Supporting drug development for neglected tropical diseases using mathematical modelling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Walker ◽  
Jonathan I D Hamley ◽  
Philip Milton ◽  
Frédéric Monnot ◽  
Sally Kinrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Chemotherapy Strategy

Abstract Drug-based interventions are at the heart of global efforts to reach elimination as a public health problem (trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis) or elimination of transmission (onchocerciasis) for five of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases tackled via the World Health Organization preventive chemotherapy strategy. While for some of these diseases there is optimism that currently available drugs will be sufficient to achieve the proposed elimination goals, for others—particularly onchocerciasis—there is a growing consensus that novel therapeutic options will be needed. Since in this area no high return of investment is possible, minimizing wasted money and resources is essential. Here, we use illustrative results to show how mathematical modelling can guide the drug development pathway, yielding resource-saving and efficiency payoffs, from the refinement of target product profiles and intended context of use, to the design of clinical trials.

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.

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