Patient-centered communication of community treatment assistants in Tanzania predicts coverage of future mass drug administration for trachoma. Jenson A, Roter DL, Mkocha H, et al. Patient Educ Couns. 2018. Abstract Prevention of Trachoma, the leading cause of infectious blindness, requires community treatment assistants (CTAs) to perform mass drug administration (MDA) of azithromycin. Previous research has shown that female CTAs have higher MDA coverage, but no studies have focused on the content of conversation. We hypothesize that female CTAs had more patient-centered communication and higher MDA coverage. Read more Financial burden of health care for Buruli ulcer patients in Nigeria: the patients' perspective. Chukwu JN, Meka AO, Nwafor CC, et al. Int Health. 2017; 9(1):36-43. Abstract The economic burden of Buruli ulcer for patients has not been well-documented. This study assessed the costs of Buruli ulcer care to patients from the onset of illness to diagnosis and to the end of treatment. This was a cross-sectional cost of illness study conducted among patients with Buruli ulcer in four States in Nigeria between July and September 2015. Read more Mapping the geographical distribution of podoconiosis in Cameroon using parasitological, serological, and clinical evidence to exclude other causes of lymphedema. Deribe K, Beng AA, Cano J, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018; 12(1):e0006126. Abstract Podoconiosis is a non-filarial elephantiasis, which causes massive swelling of the lower legs. It was identified as a neglected tropical disease by WHO in 2011. Understanding of the geographical distribution of the disease is incomplete. As part of a global mapping of podoconiosis, this study was conducted in Cameroon to map the distribution of the disease. This mapping work will help to generate data on the geographical distribution of podoconiosis in Cameroon and contribute to the global atlas of podoconiosis. Download PDF Adherence and quality of life. Ridner S, Deng J, Rhoten BA. Lymphedema. 2018:493-501. Abstract Individuals with lymphedema navigate a particularly complex treatment and self-management regimen, making adherence difficult. It is essential that these individuals conduct lifelong self-care activities to control the progression of swelling, manage lymphedema-associated symptom burden, and minimize long-term negative outcomes (e.g., elephantiasis). We postulate that adherence to lymphedema management behaviors decreases symptom burden (i.e., progressive increases in swelling, infection, etc.) and thus facilitates an increase in health-related quality of life. Read more We Decide: An initiative by the UNFPA to fight for the rights of disabled individuals. Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Annals of tropical medicine and public health. 2017; 10(6):1843-1844. Download PDF Expanding the coverage of preventive chemotherapy for the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases. Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Annals of tropical medicine and public health. 2017; 10(6):1415-1416. Download PDF Integrated risk mapping and landscape characterisation of lymphatic filariasis and loiasis in South West Nigeria. Brant TA, Okorie PN, Ogunmola O, et al. Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2018; 3(1):21–35. Abstract Nigeria has the heaviest burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in sub-Saharan Africa, which is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. To better understand factors influencing LF elimination in loiasis areas, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey on the prevalence and co-distribution of the two infections, and the potential demographic, landscape, human movement, and intervention-related risk factors at a micro-level in the South West zone of Nigeria. Download PDF A study of risk factors associated with poor water and sanitation in Srinagar city, Jammu and Kashmir. Ahmad Baba S. IJEDR. 2017; 5(4):1133-1140. Abstract This paper seeks to investigate the risk factors associated with inadequate water and sanitation conditions in the different income households of Srinagar city. The study is based on primary sources of data collected with the help of well-structured questionnaire/schedule from 1500 households during 2013. This study identifies the 8 main water supply and sanitation related risk factors and occurrence of 6 associated diseases. Download PDF Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Ghana: Providing evidence through a pre-validation survey. Debrah O, Mensah EO, Senyonjo L, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(12):e0006099. Abstract In order to achieve elimination of trachoma, a country needs to demonstrate that the elimination prevalence thresholds have been achieved and then sustained for at least a two-year period. Ghana achieved the thresholds in 2008, and since 2011 has been implementing its trachoma surveillance strategy, which includes community and school screening for signs of follicular trachoma and trichiasis, in trachoma-endemic districts. In 2015-2016, the country conducted a district level population-based survey to validate elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Download PDF The monetary value of human lives lost due to neglected tropical diseases in Africa. Kirigia JM, Mburugu GN. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):165. Abstract Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are an important cause of death and disability in Africa. This study estimates the monetary value of human lives lost due to NTDs in the continent in 2015. Download PDF Ten failings in global neglected tropical diseases control. Hotez PJ. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(12):e0005896. Download PDF Visual impairment and psychosocial development. Dawn R. Educational Achievement and Psychosocial Transition in Visually Impaired Adolescents. 2017:15-48. Abstract This chapter explores various aspects of Self-esteem and adjustment in relation to disability. It critically analyses the various theories and their relevance in affecting the psychological well-being of people with disabilities, particularly blind individuals. The chapter also highlights certain important shortcomings existing in the area of research concerning visual impairment, thus urging the need to undertake more in-depth and extensive research. Read more Sustaining visceral leishmaniasis elimination in Bangladesh - Could a policy brief help? Fitzpatrick A, Al-Kobaisi NSMS, Beitman Maya J, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(12):e0006081. Abstract Bangladesh has made significant progress towards elimination of visceral leishmaniasis, and is on track to achieve its target of less than one case per 10,000 inhabitants in each subdistrict in 2017. As the incidence of disease falls, it is likely that the political capital and financial resources dedicated towards the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis may decrease, raising the prospect of disease resurgence. The background to the current elimination efforts is highlighted, with emphasis on remaining uncertainties including the impact of disease reservoirs and sustainable surveillance strategies. Download PDF Ethical issues associated with vector-borne diseases. World Health Organization. 2017:37. Abstract Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are associated with heavy burdens, particularly in poor and vulnerable communities. Their transmission by vectors provides opportunities for specific public health interventions and gives rise to unique ethical issues. Despite their growing importance, ethical issues associated with VBDs have not previously been explored comprehensively. Download PDF Buruli ulcer, a prototype for ecosystem-related infection, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Zingue D, Bouam A, Tian RBD, et al. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2017; 31(1):e00045-17. Abstract Buruli ulcer is a noncontagious disabling cutaneous and subcutaneous mycobacteriosis reported by 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. The causative agent, Mycobacterium ulcerans, derives from Mycobacterium marinum by genomic reduction and acquisition of a plasmid-borne, nonribosomal cytotoxin mycolactone, the major virulence factor. M. ulcerans-specific sequences have been readily detected in aquatic environments in food chains involving small mammals. Read more Drug resistance and treatment failure in leishmaniasis: A 21st century challenge. Ponte-Sucre A, Gamarro F, Dujardin J-C, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(12):e0006052. Abstract In this review, we discuss the meaning of "resistance" related to leishmaniasis and discuss its molecular epidemiology, particularly for Leishmania donovani that causes visceral leishmaniasis. We also discuss how resistance can affect drug combination therapies. Molecular mechanisms known to contribute to resistance to antimonials, amphotericin B, and miltefosine are also outlined. Download PDF The impact of global environmental changes on infectious disease emergence with a focus on risks for Brazil. Nava A, Shimabukuro JS, Chmura AA, et al. ILAR J. 2017. Abstract Environmental changes have a huge impact on the emergence and reemergence of certain infectious diseases, mostly in countries with high biodiversity and serious unresolved environmental, social, and economic issues. This article summarizes the most important findings with special attention to Brazil and diseases of present public health importance in the country such as Chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. Read more Tracking trachoma: How The Gambia is eliminating an ancient disease. Lewis J. Environ Health Perspect. 2017; 125(12):1-6. Download PDF Eucalyptus globulus oil versus bleach use as antiseptic agents in podoconiosis treatment: An interventional study in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Alemayehu B, Gelibo T, Kanche ZZ. Am J Biomed Life Sci. 2017; 5(6):113-118. Abstract Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is widely used for medicinal purpose because of its pharmacological constituents. The present study aimed to use water emulsified E. globulus oil as an antiseptic agent in the treatment protocol of podoconiosis (non-filarial elephantiasis) and compare disease improvement upon E. globulus oil versus bleach (usual antiseptic chemical) use in the treatment protocol. Download PDF Still neglected? Unprecedented progress and future challenges discussed at the neglected tropical disease summit. Hopkins A. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2017:1-3. Download PDF Addressing vulnerability, building resilience: community-based adaptation to vector-borne diseases in the context of global change. Bardosh KL, Ryan S, Ebi K, et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):166. Abstract In this paper, we provide an alternative biosocial perspective grounded in social science insights, drawing upon concepts of vulnerability, resilience, participation and community-based adaptation. Our analysis was informed by a realist review (provided in the Additional file 2) focused on seven major climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases: malaria, schistosomiasis, dengue, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness, chagas disease, and rift valley fever. Download PDF Including refugees in disease elimination: challenges observed from a sleeping sickness programme in Uganda. Palmer JJ, Robert O, Kansiime F. Confl Health. 2017; 11:22. Abstract We studied Uganda's response to the recent refugee influx from South Sudan to identify key governance and operational lessons for national sleeping sickness programmes working with displaced populations today. A refugee policy which favours integration of primary healthcare services for refugee and host populations and the availability of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to detect sleeping sickness at this health system level makes Uganda well-placed to include refugees in sleeping sickness surveillance. Download PDF Schistosomiasis mansoni diagnosis: Current status and perspectives. Montenegro SML, Azevedo EAN, Oliveira SAV, et al. Tropical Diseases: An Overview of Major Diseases Occurring in the Americas. 2017. Abstract Schistosomiasis is considered a neglected tropical disease and remains a major public health problem throughout the tropics and subtropics with significant socioeconomic impact. More than 200 million people are infected worldwide. In this chapter, imaging methods are used not for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis as a disease, but for the diagnosis of morbidity, identifying the changes caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection in the human organism. Download PDF |
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