Morbidity management and surveillance of lymphatic filariasis disease and acute dermatolymphangioadenitis attacks using a mobile phone-based tool by community health volunteers in Ghana

Debrah, Linda Batsa; Mohammed, Aliyu; Osei-Mensah, Jubin; Mubarik, Yusif; Agbenyega, Olivia; Ayisi-Boateng, Nana Kwame; Pfarr, Kenneth; Kuehlwein, Janina M.; Klarmann‐Schulz, Ute; Hoerauf, Achim; Debrah, Alexander Yaw

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008839

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similarly, most of the study participants were in their active years (50 years and below, 67.5%). Our ndings corroborated previous studies with a high frequency of younger populations in endemic communities with LF morbidity [11,12], thus presenting a unique challenge to the most endemic communities if adequate control measures are not quickly implemented.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Mass Drug Administration Interruption by COVID-19 reportedly increases lymphatic filarial attacks, pains, and perceived increased lymphatic filarial infection transmission in rural Ghana

Kwarteng

Arthur

Asiedu

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundLike all other diseases, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has been implicated to impact the elimination schedule and control of neglected tropical diseases such as human lymphatic filarial (LF) infections in endemic countries. However, it is unclear the extent to which delays in mass drug administration has affected people living with chronic lymphatic filarial pathology in rural Ghana as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus remain to be investigated. MethodTo address this, a cross-sectional study where 133 LF participants from 8 LF-endemic communities in the Ahanta West District of Ghana were recruited to assess the impact of MDA interruptions as a result of COVID-19 among individuals presenting with the filarial pathology. Here, the chi-square test of independence was used as a statistical tool to assess the dependency: 1) between MDA interruption and filarial attacks 2) between MDA interruption and filarial-related pains 3) between MDA interruption and a perceived increase in LF transmission.ResultsStudy participants were asked whether the MDA interruption has affected them in any way. Here, 81% of the patients indicated yes, it had. In addition, we sought to investigate whether MDA interruption has resulted in increased filarial attacks and pains. At this, 68% of the study respondents reported an increase in filarial attacks. Similarly, 65% reported an increase in filarial-related pains. The study further reported that filarial attacks (B=14.997, df=1, p-value <0.001) and pains (a=11.773, df=1, p-value <0.001) are dependent on MDA interruption. Next, we further report that the perceived increase in LF transmission is dependent on MDA interruption (c=9.415, df=1, p-value=0.002). ConclusionIn this study, MDA interruption is reported to increase filarial attacks, filarial-related pains, and a perceived LF transmission increase in the study communities. This study's findings are important and urgent, suggesting that sustained MDA interruption in LF-endemic communities could further worsen LF patients' plight as filarial attacks, pains, and transmission could increase. Therefore, the need to immediately identify alternative modes of MDA distribution in LF-endemic areas where mass treatment has been halted in the wake of COVID-19 to prevent an unwarranted surge in LF attacks, pains, and transmission.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Mass Drug Administration Interruption by COVID-19 reportedly increases lymphatic filarial attacks, pains, and perceived increased lymphatic filarial infection transmission in rural Ghana

Kwarteng

Arthur

Asiedu

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Most lymphedema cases in females reinforces studies carried out in other endemic areas such as Haiti (27) and Ghana (28). Some findings were surprising for the moment, such as the increase in family income.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With Lymphedema in an Endemic Area for Lymphatic Filariasis in Brazil

Aquino¹,

Aguiar-Santos²,

Rocha³

et al. 2023

Int J Public Health

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Objectives: To investigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on lymphedema patients from an endemic area of lymphatic filariasis.Methods: The study descriptive compared sociodemographic and clinical aspects, risk of falling and quality of life, prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 28 lymphedema patients, older than 18 years old and under investigation of filarial infection. For the evaluation of functional mobility, the Time Up and Go test and The Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Health for quality of life, was used.Results: An increase in interdigital and dermal lesions, a higher frequency of acute dermatolymphangioadenitis crises and risk of falling, worsening of quality of life in the domains of physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health during the pandemic was observed.Conclusion: Our findings of clinical worsening and quality of life of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate the need to reinforce the goal of the Lymphatic Filariasis Program regarding the follow-up of these patients in the actions of the Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, due to the discontinuity in the care during the pandemic.

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“…The number of lymphoedema and hydrocele patients in lymphatic filariasis endemic communities are usually under-reported, which consequently affects their management. Therefore, an innovative tool can give accurate information on morbidity cases in real-time in Ghana and can also reduce the under-reporting of cases is need [ 65 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lymphatic Filariasis: A Systematic Review on Morbidity and Its Repercussions in Countries in the Americas

Medeiros

Vieira

Xavier

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) is a program that aims to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by 2030. The GPELF strategy is based on interrupting transmission using mass drug administration (MDA) and, in parallel, managing morbidity cases. However, it has been seen that there is a shortage of research in the literature and public policies regarding this last pillar. In this study, we reviewed the literature and available information regarding the burden of filarial morbidity. In addition, we identified that in the Americas, the implementation of structured services with regard to morbidity assistance in the Americas was scarce. We formed a review that aimed to assess the pathogenesis, epidemiology, repercussions, and treatment of filarial morbidity in countries in the Americas where lymphatic filariasis is endemic. Structured searches were carried out on PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science databases without time and language restrictions. Three reviewers evaluated the 2150 studies and performed data extraction, and quality assessment by assigning scores to the studies found. The current literature and available information on the burden of filarial morbidity, as well as the implementation of structured services with regard to morbidity assistance in the Americas, were all found to be scarce. Now that this knowledge gap has been identified, both health services and researchers need to seek the implementation and enhancement of the maintenance of GPELF strategies that relate to the morbidity pillar.

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Morbidity management and surveillance of lymphatic filariasis disease and acute dermatolymphangioadenitis attacks using a mobile phone-based tool by community health volunteers in Ghana

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

Mass Drug Administration Interruption by COVID-19 reportedly increases lymphatic filarial attacks, pains, and perceived increased lymphatic filarial infection transmission in rural Ghana

Mass Drug Administration Interruption by COVID-19 reportedly increases lymphatic filarial attacks, pains, and perceived increased lymphatic filarial infection transmission in rural Ghana

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With Lymphedema in an Endemic Area for Lymphatic Filariasis in Brazil

Lymphatic Filariasis: A Systematic Review on Morbidity and Its Repercussions in Countries in the Americas

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