Onchocerciasis control in Ghana (1974–2016)

Parasites & Vectors

卷:14

Dziedzom K. de Souza¹  Odame Asiedu²  Benjamin Marfo²  Nana-Kwadwo Biritwum²  Uche Veronica Amazigo³  John Owusu Gyapong⁴ 

[1] Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana;

[2] Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ghana Health Service;

[3] Pan-African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH);

[4] University of Health and Allied Sciences;

关键词: Onchocerciasis control;    Ghana;    Ivermectin;    Community-directed ivermectin treatment;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13071-020-04507-2

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background The control of onchocerciasis in Ghana started in 1974 under the auspices of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP). Between 1974 and 2002, a combination of approaches including vector control, mobile community ivermectin treatment, and community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) were employed. From 1997, CDTI became the main control strategy employed by the Ghana OCP (GOCP). This review was undertaken to assess the impact of the control interventions on onchocerciasis in Ghana between 1974 and 2016, since which time the focus has changed from control to elimination. Methods In this paper, we review programme data from 1974 to 2016 to assess the impact of control activities on prevalence indicators of onchocerciasis. This review includes an evaluation of CDTI implementation, microfilaria (Mf) prevalence assessments and rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis results. Results This review indicates that the control of onchocerciasis in Ghana has been very successful, with a significant decrease in the prevalence of infection from 69.13% [95% confidence interval) CI 60.24–78.01] in 1975 to 0.72% (95% CI 0.19–1.26) in 2015. Similarly, the mean community Mf load decreased from 14.48 MF/skin snip in 1975 to 0.07 MF/skin snip (95% CI 0.00–0.19) in 2015. Between 1997 and 2016, the therapeutic coverage increased from 58.50 to 83.80%, with nearly 100 million ivermectin tablets distributed. Conclusions Despite the significant reduction in the prevalence of onchocerciasis in Ghana, there are still communities with MF prevalence above 1%. As the focus of the GOCP has changed from the control of onchocerciasis to its elimination, both guidance and financial support are required to ensure that the latter goal is met.

【 授权许可】

Unknown