A study on morbidity management among lymphatic filariasis patients in Udupi district, Karnataka, India.
Basavaraj K, Bharatesh SK, Murali D et al. International Journal of Medicine and Public Health. 2017; 7(2).
Abstract Among 178 LF patients only about 34% had knowledge about the disease causation. About 98.3% had good hygiene practice towards affected area but only 30% of them regularly practiced one or the other exercise as recommended. The study clearly indicates the outreach focus on LF patients needs to be enhanced by grass root level health workers. The program has to ensure that all the LF patients will undergo morbidity management training and know how to take care of lymphoedema.
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The cross-cutting contribution of the end of neglected tropical diseases to the sustainable development goals.
Bangert M, Molyneux DH, Lindsay SW et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):73.
Abstract The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for an integrated response, the kind that has defined Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) efforts in the past decade.NTD interventions have the greatest relevance for SDG3, the health goal, where the focus on equity, and its commitment to reaching people in need of health services, wherever they may live and whatever their circumstances, is fundamentally aligned with the target of Universal Health Coverage.
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A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a new skin care regimen on skin barrier function in those with podoconiosis in Ethiopia.
Brooks J, Ersser SJ, Cowdell F, Gardiner E et al. British Journal of Dermatology. 2017.
Abstract To evaluate the effectiveness of a new, low-cost, evidence-based intervention to improve SBF in the lower limbs of those with podoconiosis. Improvement in SBF was observed in both groups across all measurement sites and time points, although this was significantly greater in the experimental group.
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Cultural validation of a new instrument to measure leprosy-related stigma: the SARI Stigma Scale.
Dadun, Peters RMH, Van Brakel WH et al. Lepr Rev. 2017: 88(1):23-42.
Abstract Due to the many adjustments we decided to rename the instrument to SARI Stigma Scale. The scale is comprehensive, reliable and culturally valid to assess four aspects of stigma among persons affected by leprosy in a setting like Cirebon District. Further research will determine whether this instrument is valid in other settings, cultures and with other neglected tropical diseases.
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A multidisciplinary, integrated approach for the elimination of schistosomiasis: a longitudinal study in a historically hyper-endemic region in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China from 2005 to 2014.
Sun L-P, Wang W, Zuo Y-P et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):56.
Abstract A three-step roadmap for schistosomiasis elimination was designed in the study site, and multidisciplinary, integrated interventions were implemented by the health, agriculture, water resources development, land and resources, and forestry sectors from 2005 to 2014, including chemotherapy for infected individuals, health education, management of the source of Schistosoma japonicum infection, and intermediate host snail control. The results of the present 10-year longitudinal study demonstrate that the multidisciplinary, integrated approach is effective for the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China.
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Soil transmitted helminthiasis in indigenous groups. A community cross sectional study in the Amazonian southern border region of Ecuador.
Romero-Sandoval N, Ortiz-Rico C, Sánchez-Pérez HJ et al. BMJ open. 2017; 7:e013626.
Abstract At the individual level, the prevalence of geohelminth infection reached 46.9%, with no differences in terms of gender, age, temporary migration movements or previous chemoprophylaxis. In 72.9% of households, one or more members were infected. Receiving subsidies and overcrowding were associated with the presence of helminths. The prevalence of geohelminth infection was high. Our study suggests that it is necessary to conduct studies focusing on communities, and not simply on captive groups, such as schoolchildren, with the object of proposing more suitable and effective strategies to control this problem.
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Environmental risk factors for the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Iran: a GIS-based approach.
Ramezankhani R, Hosseini A, Sajadi N et al. Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology. 2017.
Abstract OLS revealed a significant correlation between CL incidence and five predictors including temperature, population density, wind speed, humidity and NDVI; which explained 28.6% of variation in CL incidence in the province. Considering AICc and adjusted R2, GWR provided a better fit to the data compared with OLS. There was a positive correlation between temperature and population density with CL incidence in both local (city) and global (province) level.
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Schistosomiasis is more prevalent than previously thought: what does it mean for public health goals, policies, strategies, guidelines and intervention programs?
Colley DG, Andros TS, Campbell CH. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):63.
Abstract New mapping tools based on detection of worm antigens in urine of those infected are highly sensitive and the CAA assay is reported to be highly specific. Using these tools in areas of low prevalence of all three of these species of schistosomes has demonstrated that more people harbor adult worms than are regularly excreting eggs at a level detectable by the usual stool assay or by urine filtration. In very low prevalence areas this is sometimes 6- to10-fold more. There is also a critical need for new guidelines based on the use of these more sensitive assays for those national NTD programs that wish to move forward to strategies designed for elimination.
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Modelling the health and economic impacts of the elimination of river blindness (onchocerciasis) in Africa.
Kim YE, Stolk WA, Tanner M et al. BMJ Global Health. 2017; 2:e000158.
Abstract We estimated the health benefits using a dynamical transmission model, and the needs for health workforce and outpatient services for elimination strategies in comparison to a control mode. We then estimated the associated costs to both health systems and households and the potential economic impacts in terms of income gains. The elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa would lead to substantial health and economic benefits, reducing the needs for health workforce and outpatient services. To realise these benefits, the support and collaboration of community, national and global policymakers would be needed to sustain the elimination strategies.
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Impact of health education based intervention on community's awareness of dengue and its prevention in Delhi, India.
Kusuma YS, Burman D, Kumari R et al. Glob Health Promot. 2017.
Abstract This study is intended to implement health education towards prevention of dengue, and to assess its impact on people's knowledge and practices related to causes and prevention of dengue among urban poor in Delhi. Health education based intervention was carried out through partnership with the municipal bodies and non-governmental organizations. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants were similar in both surveys. Intervention resulted in significant increase in knowledge on cause, symptom perception and mosquito behaviour in terms of breeding and biting habits. Practice of personal protection measures increased significantly. The participation of people increased during intervention compared to the routine programme. Health education based interventions are instrumental in improving people's knowledge and behaviour. Hence, routine health educational activities as a supportive strategy in the health system need to be strengthened.
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A cross sectional study to assess perception regarding mosquito borne diseases in urban areas of Belagavi city.
Kulkarni RR, Biradar MK. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2017; 4(4):1039-1042.
Abstract Data was collected by systemic random sampling. Data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using proportions. Out of 360 participants 78.33% knew about mosquitoes borne diseases, 31.3 % people had the knowledge that mosquitoes can cause malaria, dengue and chikungunya, 36.6% consider drainage and garbage as common breeding place. 57.8% people use mosquito coils to prevent mosquito bite. 61.4% had knowledge about disease through TV and newspapers. Lack of awareness and knowledge about mosquito borne disease in low socio economic status and illiterates and also about breeding sites of mosquitoes.
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Active trachoma and community use of sanitation, Ethiopia.
King D, Emerson PM, Callahan EK et al. WHO Bulletin. 2017; 95:250-260.
Abstract In Amhara, Ethiopia, a negative correlation was observed between community sanitation usage and prevalence of active trachoma among children, highlighting the need for continued efforts to encourage higher levels of sanitation usage and to support sustained use throughout the community, not simply at the household level.
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Interdisciplinary approach at the primary healthcare level for Bolivian immigrants with Chagas disease in the city of São Paulo.
Shikanai Yasuda MA, Sátolo CG, Carvalho NB et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(3):e0005466.
Abstract An interdisciplinary approach including antiparasitic treatment is feasible at the primary healthcare level for the management of Chagas disease in Bolivian immigrants. The itinerant feature of immigration was associated with a lack of adherence to antiparasitic treatment and was considered a main challenge for the clinical management of this population. This approach is recommended for management of the infected population in endemic and nonendemic areas, although different strategies are needed depending on the severity of the disease and the structure of the healthcare system.
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Knowledge, practices and perceptions of geo-helminthes infection among parents of pre-school age children of Coastal region, Kenya.
Masaku J, Mwende F, Odhiambo G et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(3):e0005514.
Abstract Our results show that to a large extent the parents of the pre-school age children have information on worm infections. However, some cultural beliefs and practices on the pathology and mode of transmission mentioned could be a hindrance to prevention and control efforts. There is need to implement health promotion campaigns to strengthen the impact of control strategies and reduce infection.
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Mapping the dengue scientific landscape worldwide: a bibliometric and network analysis.
Mota FB, Galina AC, da Silva RM. SciELO Brasil. 2017.
Abstract Despite the current global trend of reduction in the morbidity and mortality of neglected diseases, dengue’s incidence has increased and occurrence areas have expanded. Dengue also persists as a scientific and technological challenge since there is no effective treatment, vaccine, vector control or public health intervention. Combining bibliometrics and social network analysis methods can support the mapping of dengue research and development (R&D) activities worldwide. The aim of this paper is to map the scientific scenario related to dengue research worldwide. Our results show a significant increase of dengue publications over time.
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and environmental risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth intensity of infection in Timor-Leste, using real time PCR.
Campbell SJ, Nery SV, Wardell R et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(3):e0005393.
Abstract In this high-prevalence setting, strong risk associations with environmental factors indicate that anthelmintic treatment alone will be insufficient to interrupt STH transmission, as conditions are favourable for ongoing environmental transmission. Integrated STH control strategies should be explored as a priority.
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Joint effects of climate variability and socio-ecological factors on dengue transmission: Epidemiological evidence.
Akter R, Hu W, Naish S et al. Trop. Med. Int. Health. 2017.
Abstract Following PRISMA guidelines, a detailed literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Peer-reviewed, freely available and full text articles, considering both climate and socio-ecological factors in relation to dengue, published in English from January 1993 to October 2015 were included in this review. Due to insufficient data, methodological issues, and contextual variability of the studies it is hard to draw conclusion on the joint effects of climate variability and socio-ecological factors on dengue transmission. Future research should take into account socio-ecological factors in combination with climate variables for a better understanding of the complex nature of dengue transmission as well as for improving the predictive capability of dengue forecasting models, to develop effective and reliable early warning systems.
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Building a global schistosomiasis alliance: an opportunity to join forces to fight inequality and rural poverty.
Savioli L, Albonico M, Colley DG et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):65.
Abstract The Global Schistomiasis Alliance (GSA) aims to be a partnership of endemic countries, academic and research institutions, international development agencies and foundations, international organizations, non-governmental development organizations, private sector companies and advocacy and resource mobilisation partners. Ultimately, the GSA calls for a partnership to work for the benefit of endemic countries by addressing health inequity and rural poverty.
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An ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in South Africa.
Komoreng L, Thekisoe O, Lehasa S et al. South African Journal of Botany. 2017; 111:12-16.
Abstract The respondents were asked questions regarding their use of medicinal plants to treat lymphatic filariasis and related ailments. Information entailing plants used to treat lymphatic filariasis, plant parts used, mode of preparation and dosage was recorded. The information collected revealed 46 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families were used against lymphatic filariasis. It was interesting to note that different traditional healers from the four Provinces use similar plants to treat lymphatic filariasis. The most prominent methods of herbal administration used were orally and soaking of the affected body part. This study has documented important ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by South African healers and indigenous people in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and related diseases.
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Will a new 2017 global leadership commit to NTDs?
Hotez PJ, Aksoy S. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(3):e0005309.
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Chronic venous leg ulcer care–are we missing a vital piece of the jigsaw?
Green J, Jester R, McKinley R et al. Wounds UK. 2017; 13:30-37.
Abstract This project explored the lived experiences of patients with leg ulcers to ascertain the impact on their quality of life. Several key themes were identified including the dominance of pain. Observations revealed that issues emphasised as important by participants, were not raised during consultations. The results of this study reveal that participants have concerns far beyond their actual wound care. Application of the new consultation template may go some way to redress the balance of the consultation.
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Spatial risk mapping for Dengue fever using GIS: A case study of Hyderabad.
Panhwer MA, Pirzada N, Abro A et al. Sindh University Research Journal. 2017; 49(1):43-46.
Abstract There is compelling evidence that changes in the climate of the earth occur which cannot be explained without taking into account human influence. Many vulnerability studies anticipate climate change will lead to increased occurrence of transmittable diseases, including Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs). This study used GIS application to identify areas prone tosuch diseases. The results show that Latifabad is a major area prone to VBD followed by Bhitainagar, Qasimabad and Heerabad. The ability to identify likely areas of dengue incidence helps for quick and efficient disease supervision and prevention practices.
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Applying a mobile survey tool for assessing lymphatic filariasis morbidity in Mtwara Municipal Council of Tanzania.
Mwingira UJ, Downs P, Uisso C et al. mHealth. 2017; 3.
Abstract A number of methods have been used to estimate lymphatic filariasis (LF) morbidity, including: routine programmatic data, cluster random surveys and the “town crier” method. Currently, few accurate data exist on the global LF morbidity burden in Tanzania. We aimed to estimate prevalence of lymphedema and hydrocele in Mtwara Municipal Council using mobile phone based survey. The findings suggest that mobile phone based surveys are a practical approach of undertaking morbidity surveys.This approach can be expected to encourage identification of lymphedema and hydrocele morbidity at community level and provide evidence where further morbidity surveys are warranted.
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