LF.pdf (2.08 MB)
The national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis from Ethiopia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 09:07 authored by Belete Mengistu, Kebede Kassaye, Fikreab Kebede, Sarah Martindale, Mohammed Hassan, Heven Sime, Charles Mackenzie, Abate Mulugeta, Mossie Tamiru, Mesfin Sileshi, Asrat Hailu, Teshome Gebre, Amha Fentaye, Biruck KebedeLymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring diseases common in Ethiopia and is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. Mapping for LF has shown that 70 woredas (districts) are endemic and 5.9 million people are estimated to be at risk. The national government’s LF elimination programme commenced in 2009 in 5 districts integrated with the onchocerciasis programme. The programme developed gradually and has shown significant progress over the past 6 years, reaching 100% geographical coverage for mass drug administration (MDA) by 2016. To comply with the global LF elimination goals an integrated morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) guideline and a burden assessment programme has also been developed; MMDP protocols and a hydrocoele surgical handbook produced for country-wide use. In Ethiopia, almost all LF endemic districts are co-endemic with malaria and vector control aspects of the activities are conducted in the context of malaria programme as the vectors for both diseases are mosquitoes. In order to monitor the elimination, 11 sentinel and spot-check sites have been established and baseline information has been collected. Although significant achievements have been achieved in the scale up of the LF elimination programme, there is still a need to strengthen operational research to generate programme-relevant evidence, to increase access to morbidity management services, and to improve monitoring and evaluation of the LF programme. However, the current status of implementation of the LF national programme indicates that Ethiopia is poised to achieve the 2020 goal of elimination of LF. Nevertheless, to achieve this goal, high and sustained treatment coverage and strong monitoring and evaluation of the programme are essential.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Ethiopian Medical JournalISSN
0014-1755Publisher
Ethiopian Medical AssociationPublisher URL
Issue
4Volume
55Page range
45-54Department 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
2017-11-30First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-11-30First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-11-30Usage metrics
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