Addressing the social determinants of neglected tropical diseases to achieve their control and elimination.
Nwoke BEB, Nwoke EA, Ukaga CN. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2016; 37(1):56-61.
Abstract Notwithstanding the successes achieved by the international community in the use of drugs to control the neglected diseases, this paper is of the strong opinion that for sustainability of this programme, national and international communities should re-channel expenditures and activities also on preventive and promotive measures in addressing the issue of these determinants. These include (a) addressing safe and clean water supply, improved sanitation and household-related factors including personal hygiene (b) reducing environmental risk factors (c) improving the health of migrating populations (d) reducing inequity due to socio cultural factors and gender (e) reducing poverty in NTD-endemic populations.
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Combining footwear with public health iconography to prevent soil-transmitted helminth infections.
Paige SB, Friant S, Clech L et al. ASTMH. 2016:15-0910.
Abstract We launched a public health intervention that combines a public health image with sandals. The image is a "lenticular image" that combines two alternating pictures to depict the efficacy of shoes for preventing STH infection. Results of focus group discussions reinforced the importance of refining public health messages well in advance of distribution so that cultural acceptability is strong. We found that the frequency of shoe-wearing was 25% higher in communities receiving the shoes than in control communities.
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Mass deworming to improve developmental health and wellbeing of children in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Welch VA, Ghogomu E, Hossain A et al. The Lancet Global Health. 2017; 5(1).
Abstract Mass deworming for soil-transmitted helminths with or without deworming for schistosomiasis had little effect. For schistosomiasis, mass deworming might be effective for weight but is probably ineffective for height, cognition, and attendance. Future research should assess which subset of children do benefit from mass deworming, if any, using individual participant data meta-analysis.
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Uncovering the pathogenic landscape of helminth (opisthorchis viverrini) infections: A cross-sectional study on contributions of physical and social environment and healthcare interventions.
Ong X, Wang Y-C, Sithithaworn P, Namsanor J et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016; 10(12):e0005175.
Abstract This study isolates and examines the influence of different aspects of the physical and social environment, and uneven intervention effort contributing to the pathogenic landscape of human Opisthorchis viverrini infections. Villages where O. viverrini infections were not prioritized by the health centers as the healthcare focus were at a higher risk of infection (prevalence). Priority of healthcare focus, however, did not appear to influence behavior, as the consumption of raw fish, the main source of O. viverrini infections in the study area, was 11.4% higher in villages that prioritized O. viverrini infections than those that did not.
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Exploring the ambivalent evidence base of mobile health (mHealth): A systematic literature review on the use of mobile phones for the improvement of community health in Africa.
de Kruijf JG, Krah EFM. Digital Health. 2016; 2:1–20.
Abstract This review explores mHealth for community health in Africa in order to assess its still ambivalent evidence base. Review of these texts reveals ambivalence in the appraisal of mHealth; essentially, the critical stance in general analyses/overviews is absent from project assessments. Especially weak evidence concerning sustainability and scalability is stressed in overviews. Project assessments are more optimistic. Their analysis suggests a causal connection between simplicity and success.
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Exploring the complexities of leprosy-related stigma and the potential of a socio-economic intervention in a public health context in Indonesia.
Dadun D, Peters R, Lusli M et al. DCIDJ. 2016; 27(3).
Abstract People affected by leprosy face major socio-economic consequences. This was confirmed by key persons. Several opportunities for a possible socio-economic intervention were perceived, as also the barriers. People affected by leprosy are constrained by certain aspects of the health system (e.g., the health providers' negative attitudes), views in society (e.g., misunderstandings about the condition, stigma), and the physical and social consequences of the disease (impairments, feelings of shame).
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Mapping trachoma in Kaduna State, Nigeria: Results of 23 local government area-level, population-based prevalence surveys.
Muhammad N, Mpyet C, Adamu MD et al. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2016:1-9.
Abstract The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years was between 0.03% and 8% across the LGAs, with only one LGA (Igabi) having a TF prevalence ≥5%. The LGA-level prevalences of trichiasis in persons aged 15 years and older were between 0.00% and 0.78%. Eleven LGAs had trichiasis prevalences of 0.2% and over in adults; a threshold equivalent to 1 case per 1000 total population. The LGA-level proportion of households with access to improved water sources ranged from 9% to 96%, while household access to latrines ranged from 5% to 99%.
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A call to strengthen the global strategy against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis: the time is now.
Lo NC, Addiss DG, Hotez PJ, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2016.
Abstract In this Personal View, we highlight recent advances that, taken together, support a call to revise the global strategy and guidelines for preventive chemotherapy and complementary interventions against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. These advances include the development of guidance that is specific to goals of morbidity control and elimination of transmission. We quantify the result of forgoing this opportunity by computing the yearly disease burden, mortality, and lost economic productivity associated with maintaining the status quo.
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Burden of lymphatic filariasis morbidity in an area of low endemicity in Brazil.
Netto MJ, Bonfim C, Brandão E, et al. Acta Trop. 2016; 163:54-60.
Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of morbidity and its correlation with filarial infection, thereby filling a gap that existed regarding the data on morbidity in Brazil. To analyze correlations, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used with the corresponding statistical significance test. 23,673 individuals were investigated: 323 presented microfilaremia and 741 had clinical complaints that were attributable to LF. Acute dermatolymphangioadenitis was the most prevalent condition.
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An extensive burden of giardiasis associated with intestinal schistosomiasis and anaemia in school children on the shoreline of Lake Albert, Uganda.
Al-Shehri H, Stanton MC, LaCourse JE, et al. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2016.
Abstract To shed light on putative interactions between diseases, a prospective cross-sectional parasitological survey was undertaken in five primary schools. In this setting, an extensive burden of giardiasis was revealed with heavy intensity infections associated with egg-patent intestinal schistosomiasis and anaemia. To improve child health, greater attention on giardiasis is needed along with exploring joined-up actions across diseases that promote better water hygiene and sanitation measures.
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Remote communities: promoting engagement in self-care.
Smith KG, Paudyal V, Stewart D et al. SelfCare. 2016; 7(4):1-9.
Abstract Behaviour change interventions which promote engagement in self-care may be utilised as a means to increase the reach of healthcare and reduce health inequality by targeting those populations deemed harder to reach. Such interventions may foster resilience and wellbeing within these communities, and increase quality of life. However, traditional face-to-face methods of delivery may prove challenging to implement within remote communities.
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The impact of a rights-based counselling intervention to reduce stigma in people affected by leprosy in Indonesia.
Lusli M, Peters R, Van Brakel W et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016; 10(12):e0005088.
Abstract The notes showed that most clients faced stigma on a daily basis, whether internalized, anticipated and/or enacted. A significant reduction was found between the before and after total scores of the SARI Stigma Scale, Participation Scale Short and WHO Quality of Life score among the counselling clients. Qualitative data indicates that knowledge and rights trigger change. Clients took steps to improve their life such as re-connecting with neighbours, helping in household activities and applying for jobs. Challenges include the wish to conceal their condition.
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WASH
Indicators of improved water access in the context of schistosomiasis transmission in rural Eastern Region, Ghana.
Kulinkina AV, Kosinski KC, Plummer JD et al. Science of The Total Environment. 2016.
Abstract In order to identify underserved populations, relevant measures of access to WASH infrastructure at sub–national or local levels are needed. We conducted a field survey of all public water sources in 74 rural communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana and computed indicators of water access using two methods: one based on the design capacity and another on the spatial distribution of water sources. Our study offers a potential methodology to use water point mapping data to identify communities in need of improved water access to achieve schistosomiasis risk reduction.
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Sociocultural determinants to adoption of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Kenya: A descriptive qualitative study.
Wasonga J, Okowa M, Kioli F. Journal of Anthropology. 2016.
Abstract Findings revealed that water issues are gendered and its use is socially and culturally categorized. Water storage is affected by traditions such as use of a clay pot, while sanitation and hygiene issues are ritualized and bound by taboos. Children faeces are thrown out in the open fields as a means of disposal and hand washing with soap is nonexistent, since it is believed that doing so would make a person lose the ability to rear livestock. The implications of these findings are that some of these sociocultural practices have a profound effect on health of the population.
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Contribution of wastewater irrigation to soil transmitted helminths infection among vegetable farmers in Kumasi, Ghana.
Amoah ID, Abubakari A, Stenström TA, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016; 10(12):e0005161.
Abstract Farmers and family members exposed to irrigation water were three times more likely as compared to the control group of non-farmers to be infected with Ascaris and hookworm. This study therefore contributes to the evidence-based conclusion that wastewater irrigation contributes to a higher incidence of STHs infection for farmers exposed annually, with higher odds of infection in the wet season.
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Effectiveness of a rural sanitation programme on diarrhoea, soil-transmitted helminth infection and malnutrition in India.
Cumming O, Ensink J, Freeman M, Jenkins M. 2016. Report
Abstract We did a cluster-randomised controlled trial in 2013, in 100 rural villages in Odisha, India. Increased latrine coverage is generally believed to be effective for reducing exposure to faecal pathogens and preventing disease; however, our results show that this outcome cannot be assumed. As efforts to improve sanitation are being undertaken worldwide, approaches should not only meet international coverage targets, but should also be implemented in a way that achieves uptake, reduces exposure, and delivers genuine health gains.
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Psychosocial impacts of the lack of access to water and sanitation in low-and middle-income countries: a scoping review.
Bisung E, Elliott SJ. Journal of Water and Health. 2016; wh2016158.
Abstract Four interrelated groups of stressors emerged from the review; physical stressors, financial stressors, social stressors, and stressors related to (perceived) inequities. Further, gender differences were observed, with women carrying a disproportionate psychosocial burden. We argue that failure to incorporate psychosocial stressors when estimating the burden or benefits of safe water and sanitation may mask an important driver of health and well-being for many households in low- and middle-income countries.
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Investigating the differential impact of school and community-based integrated control programmes for soil-transmitted helminths in Timor-Leste: the (S) WASH-D for Worms pilot study protocol.
Clarke NE, Clements AC, Bryan S et al. BioMed Central. 2016; 2(1):69.
Abstract The aims of this pilot study are to determine feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study procedures and to establish proof of principle for the hypothesis that STH control programmes directed to the entire community will lead to greater reductions in STH infections in children than programmes directed only to school-aged children. This pilot study is being conducted in preparation for a cluster-RCT investigating the differential impact of school- and community-based integrated STH control programmes on STH infections in school-aged children.
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Books
Neglected Tropical Diseases - Oceania.
Editors: Loukas, Alex (Ed.). 2016.
Focuses on region specific topics of neglected tropical diseases in an economically diverse region
This volume of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) series covers the most prevalent NTDs in Oceania. This book will discuss in detail pathology, diagnostics and control approaches of selected NTDs in the geografic region. A large part of Oceania's population lives in poverty and therefore is at high risk for certain parasitic diseases, such as hookworm infection, lymphatic filariasis, strongyloidiasis or scabies. In addition viral infections such as dengue and new emerging viruses are of importance as major health risks for people living and traveling in this area. Each chapter focuses on one specific disease or series of related diseases, and provides in-depth insights into the topic.
Innov8 approach for reviewing national health programmes to leave no one behind.
Technical handbook WHO. 2016.
World Health Organization
Summary
As called for by the Sustainable Development Goals, Ministries of health and others involved in the delivery and design of health programmes in all countries are grappling with the question of how to ensure that no one is left behind.
Many are working to reduce inequities in health service access and health status, including through reforms towards universal health coverage (UHC), enhanced intersectoral action, stronger social participation, gender-responsive and rights-based programming and health inequality monitoring.
The Innov8 Technical Handbook aims to support these efforts and is a resource as part of the Innov8 approach to reviewing national health programmes to leave no one behind. Innov8 entails an 8-step review process undertaken by a multidisciplinary national review team. It responds to the practical question of how to make concrete, meaningful and evidence-based programmatic action to tackle inequities and other shortfalls in the realization of human rights and gender equality and to address the wider social determinants of health. The Innov8 Technical Handbook is a user-friendly resource that includes background readings, country examples and analytical activities to support a programmatic review process. |
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