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2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demba Kodindo Israël ◽  
Cheick Amadou Coulibaly ◽  
Ibrahim Moussa Sissoko ◽  
Bourama Traoré ◽  
André B. B. Wilke ◽  
...  

Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies is an important vector-borne disease. In Chad, information on sandflies is outdated, and so this study was designed to update the sandfly fauna. Sandflies were collected in five health districts representing two geoclimatic zones using sticky traps and pyrethrum sprays in indoor and peridomestic habitats between September 2019 and December 2020. All collected sandfly specimens were identified based on species-level morphological characters. A total of 2,015 specimens belonging to 13 species of sandflies (one Phlebotomus and twelve Sergentomyia) were collected and identified. The vector of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus duboscqi, represents 0.65% of all collected sandflies and is the only representative of the Phlebotomus genus to be collected predominantly inside human dwellings. Phlebotomus orientalis, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis previously collected in Chad in 1976 was not found in this study. Sergentomyia clydei, Sergentomyia schwetzi, Sergentomyia antennata and Sergentomyia africana were the most abundant species collected with 44.71%; 22.73%; 16.03% and 11.17%, respectively. Sergentomyia schwetzi and Sergentomyia dubia, the two species involved in the transmission of canine leishmaniasis, were found in five and four study sites respectively. According to our results, the sandfly fauna of the two geoclimatic zones of Chad is comprised of 13 species. Our data showed that, unlike P. orientalis which was not found, P. duboscqi is present in four of the five sites surveyed. Therefore, these areas are at risk and remain potential foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, the need for further studies such as vector species detection, their seasonal fluctuations and their vector competence.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cissoko Mady ◽  
Mady CISSOKO ◽  
Issaka Sagara ◽  
Jordi Landier ◽  
Abdoulaye Guindo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In malaria endemic countries, control interventions are performed during the high malaria transmission season using epidemiological surveillance data. One such intervention, seasonal chemoprevention (SMC), consists of the monthly administration of antimalarial drugs to children under 5 years. This study proposes an anticipating approach for adapting the timing of SMC interventions in Mali and the number of rounds. Our primary objective was to select the best approach for anticipating the onset of the high transmission season in the different health districts of Mali based on epidemiological surveillance and rainfall data. Our secondary objective was to evaluate the number of malaria cases, hospitalisations, and deaths in children under 5 years that could be prevented in Mali using the selected approach and the additional cost associated.Method Confirmed malaria cases and weekly rainfall data were collected for the 75 health districts of Mali for the 2014-2019 period. The onset of the rainy season, the onset of the high transmission season, the lag between these two events and the duration of the high transmission season were determined for each health district. Two approaches for anticipating the onset of the high transmission season in 2019 were evaluated. Results In 2014-2019, the onset of the rainy season ranged from W17 April to W34 August and that of the high transmission season from W25 June to W40 September. The lag between these two events ranged from 5 to 12 weeks. The duration of the high transmission season ranged from 3 to 6 months. The best approach anticipated the onset of the high transmission season 2019 in June in 2 districts, July in 46 districts, August in 21 districts and September in 6 districts. Using this approach over the 2014-2019 period would have led to changing the timing of SMC interventions in 36 health districts and would have prevented 43,819 cases, 1,943 hospitalisations and 70 deaths in children under 5 years. The additional cost of using our proposed approach is less than 5% of the current approach. Conclusion Adapting the timing of SMC interventions using our proposed approach would improve the prevention of malaria cases, hospitalisations, and deaths for a reasonable additional cost.


2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Fadanelli ◽  
Hannah L. F. Cooper ◽  
Patricia R. Freeman ◽  
April M. Ballard ◽  
Umed Ibragimov ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Expanding access to sterile syringes in rural areas is vital, as injection-related epidemics expand beyond metropolitan areas globally. While pharmacies have potential to be an easily accessible source of sterile syringes, research in cities has identified moral, legal and ethical barriers that preclude over-the-counter (OTC) sales to people who inject drugs (PWID). The current study builds on prior urban-based research by elucidating (1) pharmacy OTC policies and (2) pharmacists’ rationale for, and barriers and facilitators to, OTC syringe sales in a US rural area hard hit by drug-related epidemics. Methods We conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with pharmacists recruited from two Eastern Kentucky health districts. Interview domains included experiences with, and attitudes toward, selling OTC syringes to PWID. Constructivist grounded theory methods were used to analyze verbatim transcripts. Results Most pharmacists operated “restrictive OTC” pharmacies (n = 8), where patients were required to have a prescription or proof of medical need to purchase a syringe. The remainder (n = 6) operated “open OTC” pharmacies, which allowed OTC syringe sales to most patients. Both groups believed their pharmacy policies protected their community and pharmacy from further drug-related harm, but diverging policies emerged because of stigma toward PWID, perceptions of Kentucky law, and belief OTC syringe sales were harmful rather than protective to the community. Conclusion Our results suggest that restrictive OTC pharmacy policies are rooted in stigmatizing views of PWID. Anti-stigma education about substance use disorder (SUD), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) is likely needed to truly shift restrictive pharmacy policy.


Author(s):  
Pauline Kiswendsida Yanogo ◽  
Clarisse Balima ◽  
Nicolas Meda

Abstract Introduction Long diagnosis delay contributes significantly to the failure to eradicate tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the total, patient and system delays in diagnosis of pulmonary bacilliferous in the six tuberculosis Diagnostic and Treatment Centers in the five health districts of the central region in Burkina Faso. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 microscopy-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in 2018 to address this objective. It concerned the socio-demographic, clinical, microbiological characteristics, and referral location/pathway characteristics of the patients. We then calculated the different delays. The “patient” (time from first symptoms to first consultation), “system” (time from first consultation to first diagnosis) and total (time from first symptoms to diagnosis) median diagnostic delay were estimated. Results The median “total”, “patient” and “system” diagnostic times were 37, 21 and 7 days, respectively. Of the 384 patients surveyed, 158 patients or 41.25% of patients had a long total diagnostic delay (> 45 days). The number of patients with a long system diagnostic delay was 125 patients (32.55%; p < 0.001) and those with a long patient diagnostic delay were 105 patients (27.34%; p < 0.001). Conclusion The total diagnosis delay of pulmonary tuberculosis was long for almost half of the patients. Awareness of the signs of tuberculosis among patients and caregivers, and consultation in a health center must be intensified to help considerably reduce these delays.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawaphan Metchanun ◽  
Christian Borgemeister ◽  
Caitlin Bever ◽  
David Galick

Thailand was the first country outside China to report a COVID-19 case but had a mild impact from the outbreak especially at the beginning of the pandemic. This study systematically investigates the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic in Thailand from January 2020 to March 2021 to uncover the COVID-19 situation in the country. By modeling all health districts throughout the country, the study found that COVID-19 contributed to an increase in excess deaths and that COVID-19 deaths might be underreported. There was a lag time in ramping up testing although testing is key to control the disease. The estimated total number of beds required by COVID-19 seems low, but it may not ensure the capacity to take care of critical cases that required ICU beds, specific medical equipment, and trained medical staff.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2185
Author(s):  
Azizur Rahman ◽  
Md Abdul Kuddus ◽  
Ryan H. L. Ip ◽  
Michael Bewong

At the end of December 2019, an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan city, China. Modelling plays a crucial role in developing a strategy to prevent a disease outbreak from spreading around the globe. Models have contributed to the perspicacity of epidemiological variations between and within nations and the planning of desired control strategies. In this paper, a literature review was conducted to summarise knowledge about COVID-19 disease modelling in three countries—China, the UK and Australia—to develop a robust research framework for the regional areas that are urban and rural health districts of New South Wales, Australia. In different aspects of modelling, summarising disease and intervention strategies can help policymakers control the outbreak of COVID-19 and may motivate modelling disease-related research at a finer level of regional geospatial scales in the future.


Author(s):  
Wesam Mansour ◽  
Adelaine Aryaija‐Karemani ◽  
Tim Martineau ◽  
Justine Namakula ◽  
Paul Mubiri ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Firmain N. Yokoly ◽  
Julien B. Z. Zahouli ◽  
Graham Small ◽  
Allassane F. Ouattara ◽  
Millicent Opoku ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although malaria and Anopheles mosquito vectors are highly prevalent in Côte d’Ivoire, limited data are available to help understand the malaria vector density and transmission dynamics in areas bordering the country. To address this gap, the Anopheles mosquito species diversity, the members of the Anopheles gambiae complex and the transmission of malaria were assessed in four health districts along the borders of Côte d’Ivoire. Methods From July 2016 through December 2016 and July 2017 through December 2017, adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected in four health districts of Côte d’Ivoire (Aboisso, Bloléquin, Odienné and Ouangolodougou) using standardized window exit trap (WET) and pyrethrum knockdown spray collection (PSC) methods. The collected mosquitoes were identified morphologically at species level and the members of the An. gambiae complex were separated using short interspersed nuclear element-based polymerase chain reaction (SINE-PCR). Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), Anopheles funestus s.l. and Anopheles nili specimens were analysed for malaria Plasmodium parasite detection using the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COX-I), and malaria prevalence among human population through local Ministry of Health (MoH) statistical yearbooks. Results A total of 281 female Anopheles were collected in Aboisso, 754 in Bloléquin, 1319 in Odienné and 2443 in Ouangolodougou. Seven Anopheles species were recorded including An. gambiae s.l. (94.8–99.1%) as the main vector, followed by An. funestus s.l. (0.4–4.3%) and An. nili (0–0.7%). Among An. gambiae s.l., Anopheles coluzzii represented the predominant species in Aboisso (89.2%) and Bloléquin (92.2%), while An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) was the major species in Odienné (96.0%) and Ouangolodougou (94.2%). The Plasmodium sporozoite infection rate in An. gambiae s.l. was highest in Odienné (11.0%; n = 100) followed by Bloléquin (7.8%, n = 115), Aboisso (3.1%; n = 65) and Ouangologoudou (2.5%; n = 120). In An. funestus s.l., Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection rate was estimated at 6.2% (n = 32) in Bloléquin, 8.7% (n = 23) in Odienné. No An. funestus s.l. specimens were found infected with P. falciparum sporozoite infection in Ouangolodougou and Aboisso. No P. falciparum sporozoite was detected in An. nili specimens in the four health districts. Among the local human populations, malaria incidence was higher in Odienné (39.7%; n = 45,376) and Bloléquin (37.6%; n = 150,205) compared to that in Ouangolodougou (18.3%; n = 131,629) and Aboisso (19.7%; n = 364,585). Conclusion Anopheles vector species diversity, abundance and Plasmodium sporozoite infection were high within the health districts along the borders of the country of Côte d’Ivoire, resulting in high malaria transmission among the local populations. Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus s.l. were found to be highly infected with Plasmodium in the health districts of Bloléquin and Odienné where higher malaria incidence was observed than the other districts. This study provides important information that can be used to guide Côte d’Ivoire National Malaria Control Programme for vector control decision-making, mainly in districts that are at the country borders.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel DEMBA KODINDO ◽  
Demba Kodindo Israël ◽  
Cheick Amadou Coulibaly ◽  
Ibrahim Moussa Sissoko ◽  
Bourama Traoré ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies is an important vector-borne disease. In Chad, information on sandflies is outdated, and so this study was designed to update the sandfly fauna. Methods: Sandflies were collected in five health districts representing two geoclimatic zones using sticky traps and pyrethrum sprays in indoor and peridomestic habitats between September 2019 and December 2020. All collected sandfly specimens were identified based on species-level morphological characters. Results: A total of 2,015 specimens belonging to 13 species of sandflies (one Phlebotomus and twelve Sergentomyia) were collected and identified. The vector of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus duboscqi, represents 0.65% of all collected sandflies and is the only representative of the Phlebotomus genus to be collected predominantly inside human dwellings. Phlebotomus orientalis, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis previously collected in Chad in 1976 was not found in this study. Sergentomyia clydei, Sergentomyia schwetzi, Sergentomyia antennata and Sergentomyia africana were the most abundant species collected with 44.71%; 22.73%; 16.03% and 11.17%, respectively. Sergentomyia schwetzi and Sergentomyia dubia, the two species involved in the transmission of canine leishmaniasis, were found in five and four study sites respectively. Conclusion: According to our results, the sandfly fauna of the two geoclimatic zones of Chad is comprised of 13 species. Our data showed that, unlike P. orientalis which was not found, P. duboscqi is present in four of the five sites surveyed. Therefore, these areas are at risk and remain potential foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, the need for further studies such as vector species detection, their seasonal fluctuations and their vector competence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kagiso Ndlovu ◽  
Kabelo Leonard Mauco ◽  
Mpho Keetile ◽  
Kadimo Khutsafalo ◽  
Refilwe Yvonne Senyatso ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Botswana, like many developing countries, has identified eHealth as a means of improving healthcare service provision and delivery. The National Malaria Programme (NMP) in Botswana has implemented the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2) to support timely Malaria case reporting across its 27 health districts. Despite the potential benefits of the DHIS2 platform towards improving Malaria case-based surveillance in Botswana, it must be noted that implementation of any eHealth system is never without challenges. Barriers to the implementation of eHealth innovations within the healthcare setting may arise at the individual or organizational levels. As such, evaluating perceptions of the intended users about the technology is an important step that could inform the sustainable implementation of eHealth systems. Nonetheless, the implementation of DHIS2 for Malaria case-based surveillance in Botswana was undertaken without prior user perception evaluation, living the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness with uncertainty regarding the likely or unlikely acceptance and use of the DHIS2. Hence this study employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand the DHIS2 user perceptions and potential issues around the system acceptance and usability. OBJECTIVE This study used TAM to evaluate the user acceptance of the DHIS2 platform for Malaria case-based surveillance in Botswana. METHODS The study approach, as well as the data collection, were informed by constructs underlying the TAM. Survey and focus group discussions were undertaken with 32 participants (27 DHIS2 core users across 27 health districts and five Malaria Program personnel at the Ministry of Health). RESULTS Overall, positive responses across all TAM constructs were recorded. However, participants also noted some organizational-related issues that could compromise user acceptance of the DHIS2 platform. CONCLUSIONS According to TAM, participants’ responses indicate their acceptance of DHIS2 platform. However other models used to predict technology adoption and based on varying theories also exist. As such based on the findings from this study alone, we cannot conclusively predict successful adoption of DHIS2 towards Malaria case-based surveillance in Botswana. The authors propose organizational readiness as a better predictor of technology adoption. CLINICALTRIAL NA.


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