The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: Health Impact after 8 Years

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne, chronically disabling parasitic infection causing elephantiasis, lymphedema, and hydrocele. The infection is endemic in 83 countries worldwide, with more than 1.2 billion people at risk and 120 million already infected. Since 1998, the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) has targeted elimination of LF by 2020. In its first 8 operational years, the program has scaled-up to provide more than 1.9 billion treatments through annual, single-dose mass drug administration (MDA) to ∼570 million individuals living in 48 LF-endemic countries. Not only do the GPELF drugs prevent the spread of LF, they also stop the progression of disease in those already infected. In addition, since two of the three drugs used for LF elimination have broad anti-parasite properties, treated populations are freed from both intestinal worms and from skin infections with onchocerca, lice, and scabies. To better understand the public health benefit of this ongoing global health initiative, we undertook an analysis of Programme data made available to WHO by participating countries. Our conservative estimates show that the GPELF has had an unprecedented public health impact on both LF and other neglected tropical diseases; it justly deserves the accolade of ‘a best buy’ in global health

Geographical Distribution of Intestinal Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and Preventive Chemotherapy Strategies in Sierra Leone

The common intestinal roundworm, whipworm and hookworm (together known as soil-transmitted helminthes - STHs) together with schistosomes or bilharzia are responsible for extensive ill health, reduced life expectancy and death in sub-Saharan Africa. These diseases are transmitted in areas of poor water supply and sanitation. In order to implement an appropriate national control program, knowledge of the prevalence and geographical distribution of these diseases is required. A national survey was performed in Sierra Leone in 2008. Overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 18.4% and that of STHs was 39.1%. Intestinal schistosomiasis was mainly prevalent in the northern and eastern regions while STH is widespread in the country. The results justify routine de-worming for pre-school children, school age children, women of childbearing age, and adults at high risk twice a year. The results also justify using anti-schistosomiasis drug (praziquantel) in school age children, all women of childbearing age, and adults at high risk annually or biennially depending upon the prevalence in the areas

Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review of Their Prevalence, Distribution, and Disease Burden

The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are the most common conditions affecting the poorest 500 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and together produce a burden of disease that may be equivalent to up to one-half of SSA's malaria disease burden and more than double that caused by tuberculosis. Approximately 85% of the NTD disease burden results from helminth infections. Hookworm infection occurs in almost half of SSA's poorest people, including 40–50 million school-aged children and 7 million pregnant women in whom it is a leading cause of anemia. Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent NTD after hookworm (192 million cases), accounting for 93% of the world's number of cases and possibly associated with increased horizontal transmission of HIV/AIDS. Lymphatic filariasis (46–51 million cases) and onchocerciasis (37 million cases) are also widespread in SSA, each disease representing a significant cause of disability and reduction in the region's agricultural productivity. There is a dearth of information on Africa's non-helminth NTDs. The protozoan infections, human African trypanosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis, affect almost 100,000 people, primarily in areas of conflict in SSA where they cause high mortality, and where trachoma is the most prevalent bacterial NTD (30 million cases). However, there are little or no data on some very important protozoan infections, e.g., amebiasis and toxoplasmosis; bacterial infections, e.g., typhoid fever and non-typhoidal salmonellosis, the tick-borne bacterial zoonoses, and non-tuberculosis mycobaterial infections; and arboviral infections. Thus, the overall burden of Africa's NTDs may be severely underestimated. A full assessment is an important step for disease control priorities, particularly in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the greatest number of NTDs may occur

Seroprevalence of lymphatic filariasis at Puducherry

Lymphatic filariasis is a major vector borne disease prevalent in the tropics. This study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence of lymphatic filariasis in and around Puducherry using indirect haemaggulutination test. Of the 5056 clinically suspected cases, 2214 (43.78%) were found to be positive, of whom majority were males (57.8%) belonging to the age group of 21–40 years, indicating that lymphatic filariasis mainly affects the adolescents and adults mainly. This high seroprevalence is a matter of immediate concern and necessary control programme is urgently required to check the transmission of filariasis

Patients with acute myocardial infarction and interfering factors when seeking emergency care: implications for health education Pacientes con infarto del miocárdio agudo y los factores que interfieren en la búsqueda de un servicio de emergencia: implicaciones para la educación en salud Pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio e os fatores que interferem na procura por serviço de emergência: implicações para a educação em saúde

With the objective of estimating the time elapsed between the beginning of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack until the arrival at the cardiology emergency service (Delta T) and the factors that influence in this process, 112 patients were studied, with an infarction diagnosis with supraunleveling ST segment. The delta T was on average of 3h59±2h55min; 99(88%) of those patients sought out an emergency service within 1h after the beginning of the event. Unmarried patients presented a delta T smaller in relation to the others (P=0,006), as well as those that recognized the symptoms as a heart event; thoracic pain with burning symptoms, were described by 25 (24%) of patients, and the first attitude taken, in view those symptoms, was self-medication 37(33%). The recognition of the signs and symptoms of Acute Myocardium Infarction, is a decisive factor for the seeking of a specialized service.<br>Con el objetivo de estimar el tiempo transcurrido entre el inicio de las señales y síntomas del infarto hasta la llegada al sector de emergencia cardiológica (delta T) y los factores que influenciaron ese proceso, se estudiaron 112 pacientes, con diagnóstico de infarto con elevación del segmento ST. El delta T fue en promedio de 3h59min±2h55min, siendo que 99(88%) de esos pacientes buscaron un servicio de emergencia una hora después el inicio del evento. Pacientes solteros presentaron un delta T menor en relación a los demás (P=0,006), así como aquellos que reconocieron los síntomas como un evento cardíaco; dolor torácico con ardor fue relatado por 25(24%) pacientes, siendo que la primera actitud tomada ante esos síntomas fue la automedicación 37(33%). Se concluyó que el reconocimiento de las señales y de los síntomas de IMA por el paciente es un factor determinante en la búsqueda de atención especializada.<br>Com o objetivo de estimar o tempo decorrido entre o início dos sinais e sintomas do infarto até a chegada ao setor de emergência cardiológica (delta T) e os fatores que influenciaram esse processo, estudou-se 112 pacientes, com o diagnóstico de infarto com supradesnível do segmento ST. O delta T foi, em média, de 3h59min±2h55min, sendo que 99(88%) desses pacientes procuraram por serviço de emergência uma hora após o início do evento. Pacientes solteiros apresentaram delta T menor em relação aos demais (p=0,006), assim, como aqueles que reconheceram os sintomas como evento cardíaco; dor torácica em ardência foi relatada por 25(24%) pacientes, sendo que a primeira atitude tomada diante desses sintomas foi a automedicação 37(33%). Concluiu-se que o reconhecimento dos sinais e dos sintomas de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) pelo paciente é fator determinante para a procura por atendimento especializado