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Gebrezgabiher G, Yewhalaw D, Hailu A, Mekonnen Z. Evaluation of mass treatment with ivermectin program reach and survey coverage for onchocerciasis elimination in selected endemic areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271518. [PMID: 35901026 PMCID: PMC9333289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, national governments of onchocerciasis endemic African countries are working towards the elimination of the disease using mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin as a primary strategy. Attainment of this goal requires implementation of prolonged high MDA coverage in all endemic areas, and vigilant monitoring and evaluation of the program. This study was thus conducted with the purpose of i) providing estimate of ivermectin coverage, ii) validating the MDA coverage reported through community drug distributors (CDDs), iii) determining the factors associated with MDA coverage, and iv) estimating the difference between MDA program reach and survey coverage rates following MDA campaign carried out in May 2017 in Asosa and Yeki districts in Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,824 study participants in Asosa and Yeki districts. A total of 50 kebeles (smallest administrative units) were randomly selected from the two districts. A systematic sampling was employed to select study households from the 50 kebeles. Then, a household member was randomly selected for the interview. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the odds ratio and to observe the associations between the MDA survey coverage and the variables used. Eighty-seven percent (2458/2824) of the respondents from both districts responded that they were offered ivermectin during the May 2017 MDA campaign. At the district level, 1182 individuals from Yeki and 1276 from Asosa, received the drug, that indicate 88.5% and 85.8% MDA program reach in Yeki and Assosa districts, respectively. Whereas, a total of 366 individuals were not offered ivermectin in both study districts. Of these, 47(12.8%), 143(39.1%), and 176(48.1%) did not receive the drug because of program implementation-related reasons, ineligibility criteria, and personal issues, respectively. Of the 1488 and 1336 respondents in Asosa and Yeki, 1272 and 1182 participants took the drug, resulting in survey coverage rate of 85.5% (95% CI: 83.6–87.2%) and 88.5% (95% CI: 86.7–90.1%), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed significantly low survey coverage rate in females (AOR = 0.5, 95%CI: 0.3–0.6; p<0.001) and in those whose age ranges between 15–24 years (AOR = 0.5, 95%CI: 0.3–0.8; p = 0.007) and 25–34 years (AOR = 0.5, 95%CI: 0.3–0.9; p = 0.021) in Asosa. The researchers believe that the current study generated operational evidence on MDA program reach and coverage rates in two study districts in Ethiopia. The survey coverages were lower than the recommended 90% minimum threshold for success. Only Yeki district reached the 90% threshold survey coverage. Both districts had reported higher coverages than the survey estimates (even outside the 95% CI), thus, were not validated. The majority (60.9%) of the reasons for not receiving the drug were related to program implementation and recipients`personal issues. Efforts must therefore be directed to enhance MDA coverage in future rounds via proper MDA planning and implementation, such as allocating adequate time to the MDA activities, health education, and mobilizing of all segments of the population, including adolescents and the youth. The researchers also recommend such studies to be extended to other MDA programs for other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebremedhin Gebrezgabiher
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Forrer A, Wanji S, Obie ED, Nji TM, Hamill L, Ozano K, Piotrowski H, Dean L, Njouendou AJ, Ekanya R, Ndongmo WPC, Fung EG, Nnamdi DB, Abong RA, Beng AA, Eyong ME, Ndzeshang BL, Nkimbeng DA, Teghen S, Suireng A, Ashu EE, Kah E, Murdoch MM, Thomson R, Theobald S, Enyong P, Turner JD, Taylor MJ. Why onchocerciasis transmission persists after 15 annual ivermectin mass drug administrations in South-West Cameroon. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2020-003248. [PMID: 33431378 PMCID: PMC7802695 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination mainly with annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). High infection levels have been reported in South-West Cameroon, despite ≥15 years of CDTI. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with continued onchocerciasis transmission and skin disease. Methods A large-scale cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 in 20 communities in a loiasis-risk area in South-West Cameroon. A mixed-methods approach was used. Associations between infection levels, skin disease and adherence to CDTI were assessed using mixed regression modelling. Different community members’ perception and acceptability of the CDTI strategy was explored using semi-structured interviews. Results Onchocerciasis prevalence was 44.4% among 9456 participants. 17.5% of adults were systematic non-adherers and 5.9% participated in ≥75% of CDTI rounds. Skin disease affected 1/10 participants, including children. Increasing self-reported adherence to CDTI was associated with lower infection levels in participants aged ≥15 years but not in children. Adherence to CDTI was positively influenced by perceived health benefits, and negatively influenced by fear of adverse events linked with economic loss. Concern of lethal adverse events was a common reason for systematic non-adherence. Conclusion CDTI alone is unlikely to achieve elimination in those high transmission areas where low participation is commonly associated with the fear of adverse events, despite the current quasi absence of high-risk levels of loiasis. Such persisting historical memories and fear of ivermectin might impact adherence to CDTI also in areas with historical presence but current absence of loiasis. Because such issues are unlikely to be tackled by CDTI adaptive measures, alternative strategies are needed for onchocerciasis elimination where negative perception of ivermectin is an entrenched barrier to community participation in programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armelle Forrer
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Elisabeth Dibando Obie
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Theobald Mue Nji
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Louise Hamill
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Kim Ozano
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Piotrowski
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Laura Dean
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Abdel J Njouendou
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Relindis Ekanya
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Winston Patrick Chounna Ndongmo
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ebua Gallus Fung
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Dum-Buo Nnamdi
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Raphael A Abong
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Amuam Andrew Beng
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Mathias Esum Eyong
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Bertrand L Ndzeshang
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Desmond Akumtoh Nkimbeng
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Samuel Teghen
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Anicetus Suireng
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ernerstine Ebot Ashu
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Emmanuel Kah
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Michele M Murdoch
- Watford General Hospital, West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, UK
| | - Rachael Thomson
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Sally Theobald
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Peter Enyong
- Department of Disease Control, Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon.,Parasites and Vector Biology research unit (PAVBRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Joseph D Turner
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
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Mulebeke R, Wanzira H, Bukenya F, Eganyu T, Collborn K, Elliot R, Van Geertruyden JP, Echodu D, Yeka A. Implementing population-based mass drug administration for malaria: experience from a high transmission setting in North Eastern Uganda. Malar J 2019; 18:271. [PMID: 31399051 PMCID: PMC6688214 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2902-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mass drug administration (MDA) is a suggested mean to accelerate efforts towards elimination and attainment of malaria-free status. There is limited evidence of suitable methods of implementing MDA programme to achieve a high coverage and compliance in low-income countries. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of this MDA delivery strategy while using coverage measured as effective population in the community and population available. Methods Population-based MDA was implemented as a part of a larger program in a high transmission setting in Uganda. Four rounds of interventions were implemented over a period of 2 years at an interval of 6 to 8 months. A housing and population census was conducted to establish the eligible population. A team of 19 personnel conducted MDA at established village meeting points as distribution sites at every village. The first dose of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHA-PQ) was administered via a fixed site distribution strategy by directly observed treatment on site, the remaining doses were taken at home and a door-to-door follow up strategy was implemented by community health workers to monitor adherence to the second and third doses. Results Based on number of individuals who turned up at the distribution site, for each round of MDA, effective coverage was 80.1%, 81.2%, 80.0% and 80% for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds respectively. However, coverage based on available population at the time of implementing MDA was 80.1%, 83.2%, 82.4% and 82.9% for rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Intense community mobilization using community structures and mass media facilitated community participation and adherence to MDA. Conclusion A hybrid of fixed site distribution and door-to-door follow up strategy of MDA delivery achieved a high coverage and compliance and seemed feasible. This model can be considered in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Mulebeke
- Pilgrim Africa, Kampala, Uganda. .,Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adoke Yeka
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
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