Challenges and opportunities associated with neglected tropical disease and water, sanitation and hygiene intersectoral integration programs

BMC Public Health

Research Article

E. Anna Johnston¹  Jay P. Graham¹  Jordan Teague² 

[1] The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave, NW Suite 400, 20051, Washington, DC, USA;WASH Advocates, 1506 21st Street NW, Suite 200, 20036, Washington, DC, USA;

关键词: Neglected tropical disease;    NTDs;    Water, sanitation, and hygiene;    WASH;    Program;    Integration;    Collaboration;    Implementation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-1838-7

 received in 2014-10-23, accepted in 2015-05-13,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundRecent research has suggested that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, in addition to mass drug administration (MDA), are necessary for controlling and eliminating many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).ObjectivesThis study investigated the integration of NTD and WASH programming in order to identify barriers to widespread integration and make recommendations about ideal conditions and best practices critical to future integrated programs.MethodsTwenty-four in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the global NTD and WASH sectors to identify barriers and ideal conditions in programmatic integration.ResultsThe most frequently mentioned barriers to WASH and NTD integration included: 1) differing programmatic objectives in the two sectors, including different indicators and metrics; 2) a disproportionate focus on mass drug administration; 3) differences in the scale of funding; 4) siloed funding; and 5) a lack of coordination and information sharing between the two sectors. Participants also conveyed that a more holistic approach was needed if future integration efforts are to be scaled-up. The most commonly mentioned requisite conditions included: 1) education and advocacy; 2) development of joint indicators; 3) increased involvement at the ministerial level; 4) integrated strategy development; 5) creating task forces or committed partnerships; and 6) improved donor support.ConclusionsPublic health practitioners planning to integrate NTD and WASH programs can apply these results to create conditions for more effective programs and mitigate barriers to success. Donor agencies should consider funding more integration efforts to further test the proof of principle, and additional support from national and local governments is recommended if integration efforts are to succeed. Intersectoral efforts that include the development of shared indicators and objectives are needed to foster conditions conducive to expanding effective integration programs.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Johnston et al. 2015