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The National Programme to Eliminate Onchocerchiasis from Ethiopia_ V5.pdf (545.83 kB)

Review of Ethiopian onchocerciasis elimination programme

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:21 authored by Kadu Meribo, Biruck Kebede, Sindew Mekasha Feleke, Birham Mengistu, Abate Mulugeta, Mesfin Sileshi, Abdi Samuel, Kebede Kassaye, Zerihun Tadesse
Onchocerciasis is a severe parasitic infection which causes disabling skin and subcutaneous tissue changes. The disease is endemic in many African countries including Ethiopia. In 2013, Ethiopia launched Onchocerciasis elimination program with the goal of attaining interruption of onchocerciasis transmission nationwide by 2020. The country has successfully scaled up interventions and achieved 100% geographic coverage in all known endemic districts. The main strategy for interrupting the disease is mass drug administration (MDA) delivered two times per year. The treatment coverage for the last five years has been maintained at more than 80%. Despite many years of ivermectin MDA the transmission of onchocerciasis in many districts remained unabated. To achieve the 2020 goal, sustained high geographic and therapeutic coverage is required which is validated by coverage surveys. The programme should aim to improve the knowledge and attitude of the community towards the programme in order to improve drug compliance. The partnership between the relevant stakeholders should be strengthened to facilitate open discussions regarding the programme implementation and any challenges that may arise in the control and elimination of the disease. It is also important to consider intensified vector control.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Ethiopian Medical Journal

ISSN

0014-1755

Publisher

Ethiopian Medical Association

Issue

4

Volume

55

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Wellcome Trust Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-10-19

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-10-19

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-10-19

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