Situation analysis of onchocerciasis in Cameroon: a protocol for systematic review of epidemiological studies and impact of disease control interventions

Abstract

Background: Many control methods have been implemented to tackle onchocerciasis and great successes have been achieved, leading to a paradigm shift from control of morbidity to interruption of transmission and ultimately elimination. The mandate of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) ended in 2015, and endemic countries are to plan and conduct elimination activities by themselves, with technical assistance by the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN). To this end, an elimination expert committee was set up in Cameroon in 2018. This committee identified the need to update the data on the current situation of onchocerciasis. The present study aims to systematically review and report all available epidemiological data, including prevalence, intensity and transmission of onchocerciasis to provide pertinent information that will be useful to design optimal strategies to achieve onchocerciasis elimination in Cameroon. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science will be searched from inception onwards. Grey literature will be identified through Google Scholar searches, dissertation databases and other relevant documents such as government reports. Eligible studies will be mostly observational, including cohort and cross-sectional surveys. No limitations will be imposed on publication status and study period. The primary outcomes will be (1) the prevalence and intensity of Onchocerca volvulus infection in humans, (2) transmission intensity and (3) impact of interventions on prevalence, intensity and transmission of onchocerciasis. Secondary outcomes will be environmental and sociodemographic factors supporting the primary outcomes. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Methodological quality including bias will be appraised using appropriate approaches. A narrative synthesis will describe quality and content of the epidemiological evidence. Prevalence and intensity of infection estimates will be stratified according to gender, age, geographical location and year of publication.

Prevalence of Onchocerciasis Infection in the Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…50 The finding of this systematic review and meta-analysis is much higher than other findings reported from different parts of the world. It is higher than review reports from Switzerland, 51 France, 52,53 Canada, 54 Spain, 55 Nigeria, 56 Cameroon. 57 However, the pooled prevalence of onchocerciasis was lower than the study from Brazilian Amazon, 58 and Burkina Faso.…”

Community Directed Ivermectin Treatment Coverage in Burundi: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis for 2030 World Health Organization Road Map

“…East Africa Science 2024 | Volume 6 | Number 1 Drug Administration (MDA), vector control and recent intervention trials, the onchocerciasis still present in some areas with high prevalence. 9,10 Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO), International foundations, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations worked together to reduce the burden of onchocerciasis in endemic zones. 11,12 They used insecticide sprays as well as bi-annual mass administration of ivermectin and a positive impact has been achieved.…”

Testing the susceptibility of larval stages of Simulium to temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis in Germany and Northern Cameroon

“…In highly endemic foci, ivermectin treatment alone might not be enough to eradicate the parasite (Lakwo et al, 2020). Also, in foci of co‐endemicity with Loa loa , ivermectin cannot be used for community‐based mass‐treatments, due to severe side‐effects (Nana Djeunga et al, 2020; Boussinesq et al, 2018). Considerable research has been conducted on bacterial insecticides over the last decades, and major successes have been obtained (Guillet et al, 1990).…”

“…Still alternative and complementary strategies to drug treatment are needed. Such measures could be the destruction of Simulium breeding sites by clearing the vegetation support for larvae “slash & clear” strategy (Lakwo et al, 2020) or the strategic use of safe and uncostly larvicides (Nana Djeunga et al, 2020).…”