Conference abstract
Addressing the last-mile challenge for onchocerciasis elimination: leveraging a digitalized supervisor coverage tool for MDA improvement and strengthening Community Drug Distributor (CDD) performance in Mahenge Focus, Tanzania
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(38).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.38.2368
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Onchocerciasis, digitalized supervisor coverage tool, community drug distributor
Oral presentation
Addressing the last-mile challenge for onchocerciasis elimination: leveraging a digitalized supervisor coverage tool for MDA improvement and strengthening Community Drug Distributor (CDD) performance in Mahenge Focus, Tanzania
Dorica Burengelo1,&, Ambakisye Mhiche1, Evangelina Chihoma2, Casmil, Masayi1, Ezekiel Moirana3, Shabbir Lalji1, Julius Masanika1, Clara Jones3
1RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2United States Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 3The National Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Mahenge Focus is among the country’s eight and the oldest onchocerciasis transmission focus. The focus recorded the highest baseline prevalence in Tanzania (nodular palpation of 45-95%, 1997). Mass treatment following the Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) approach reduced the prevalence to 2.8% (OV16RDT) by July 2022; however, there is evidence of continued transmission despite more than two decades of MDA.
Methods: five villages were selected from each district in focus based on two criteria: evidence of vector breeding (first-line villages) and low coverage in the last MDA. One hamlet was randomly selected in each village, and 20 households were obtained for interviews. ODK software was used for data collection.
Results: two SAs, Mofu in Mlimba and Mahenge in Ulanga DCs, respectively, had good coverage. Six SAs had inconclusive SCT results (Chisano, Chita, and Idete in Mlimba DC; Isiaga, Mwaya, and Ruaha in Ulanga DC). Inadequate coverage was observed in only one SA (Njage in Mlimba DC). The most common reasons for inadequate coverage were taking other medications, pregnancy for women, alcohol consumption, and not being visited by CDD.
Conclusion: digital platform with real-time monitoring increased accountability and implementation of the mop-up and ensured most people in the selected villages were reached during MDA. Despite the application of electronic SCT, treatment coverage surveys should be done to validate coverage and put forward corrective actions for future MDAs.
Addressing the last-mile challenge for onchocerciasis elimination: leveraging a digitalized supervisor coverage tool for MDA improvement and strengthening Community Drug Distributor (CDD) performance in Mahenge Focus, Tanzania
Dorica Burengelo1,&, Ambakisye Mhiche1, Evangelina Chihoma2, Casmil, Masayi1, Ezekiel Moirana3, Shabbir Lalji1, Julius Masanika1, Clara Jones3
1RTI International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2United States Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 3The National Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Mahenge Focus is among the country’s eight and the oldest onchocerciasis transmission focus. The focus recorded the highest baseline prevalence in Tanzania (nodular palpation of 45-95%, 1997). Mass treatment following the Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) approach reduced the prevalence to 2.8% (OV16RDT) by July 2022; however, there is evidence of continued transmission despite more than two decades of MDA.
Methods: five villages were selected from each district in focus based on two criteria: evidence of vector breeding (first-line villages) and low coverage in the last MDA. One hamlet was randomly selected in each village, and 20 households were obtained for interviews. ODK software was used for data collection.
Results: two SAs, Mofu in Mlimba and Mahenge in Ulanga DCs, respectively, had good coverage. Six SAs had inconclusive SCT results (Chisano, Chita, and Idete in Mlimba DC; Isiaga, Mwaya, and Ruaha in Ulanga DC). Inadequate coverage was observed in only one SA (Njage in Mlimba DC). The most common reasons for inadequate coverage were taking other medications, pregnancy for women, alcohol consumption, and not being visited by CDD.
Conclusion: digital platform with real-time monitoring increased accountability and implementation of the mop-up and ensured most people in the selected villages were reached during MDA. Despite the application of electronic SCT, treatment coverage surveys should be done to validate coverage and put forward corrective actions for future MDAs.
