Determinants of success in national programs to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: A perspective identifying essential elements and research needs

Kyelem, D., Biswas, G., Bockarie, Moses, Bradley, M. H., El-Setouhy, M., Fischer, P. U., Henderson, R. H., Kazura, J. W., Lammie, P. J., Njenga, S. M., Ottesen, E. A., Ramaiah, K. D., Richards, F. O., Weil, G. J. and Williams, S. A. (2008) 'Determinants of success in national programs to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: A perspective identifying essential elements and research needs'. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 79, Issue 4, pp. 480-484.

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Abstract

The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) was launched in 2000. To understand why some national programs have been more successful than others, a panel of individuals with expertise in LF elimination efforts met to assess available data from programs in 8 countries. The goal was to identify: 1) the factors determining success for national LF elimination programs (defined as the rapid, sustained reduction in microfilaremia/antigenemia after repeated mass drug administration [MDA]): 2) the priorities for operational research to enhance LF elimination efforts.
Of more than 40 factors identified, the most prominent were 1) initial level of LF endemicity: 2) effectiveness of vector mosquitoes; 3) MDA drug regimen: 4) population compliance.
Research important for facilitating program success was identified as either biologic (i.e., [1] quantifying differences in vectorial capacity; [2] identifying seasonal variations affecting LF transmission) or programmatic (i.e., [1] identifying quantitative thresholds, especially the population compliance levels necessary for success, and the antigenemia or microfilaremia prevalence at which MDA programs can stop with minimal risk of resumption of transmission; [2] defining optimal drug distribution strategies and timing; [3] identifying those individuals who are "persistently noncompliant" during MDAs, the reasons for this non-compliance and approaches to overcoming it).
While addressing these challenges is important, many key determinants of program success are already clearly understood; operationalizing these as soon as possible will greatly increase the potential for national program success.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 880 Filariasis and related conditions (General)
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.480
Depositing User:	Users 67 not found.
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2010 14:59
Last Modified:	26 Nov 2024 13:55
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/834

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