Navigating the way to onchocerciasis elimination: the feasibility and affordability of Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping.

Background: Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination of transmission by 2030 in at least 21 countries. To achieve this, recent and accurate data on the extent and intensity of onchocerciasis transmission are required. This will include mapping areas previously unassessed, or remapping of areas that were last visited as part surveys aiming to prevent blindness, not assess transmission in totality.

Improving data use for decision making by neglected tropical disease program teams: eight use cases.

The achievement of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) program goals depends on numerous factors, including the ability of national programs to use high-quality, timely data to inform their decision-making and program delivery. This paper presents a use case analysis of the routine data used by national NTD programs targeting lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and trachoma. The use cases were developed through a combination of secondary and primary research focused on both global trends and deep dives into Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

Prevalence of trachoma in the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria: results of six population-based surveys.

Purpose: The World Health Organization's (WHO's) global trachoma elimination programme recommends mapping of trachoma at district level for planning of elimination activities in affected populations. This study aimed to provide data on trachoma prevalence for the Area Councils of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Methods: Using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols, in March and April 2014, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in each of the six Area Councils of FCT.

Surveillance efforts after mass drug administration to validate elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem in Vanuatu.

Background: Vanuatu was formerly highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF), caused by and transmitted by mosquitoes. After a baseline survey showing 4.8% antigen prevalence in 1998, the country conducted nationwide (in one implementation unit) annual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole and diethylcarbamazine citrate from 2000 to 2004 and achieved prevalence of 0.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Bauchi State, Nigeria: Results of 20 Local Government Area-Level Surveys.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) and trichiasis in each of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Methods: We undertook a population-based prevalence survey in each LGA in Bauchi State, employing the Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology. We used a 2-stage, systematic and quasi-random sampling strategy.

Mapping the epidemiology of yaws in the Solomon Islands: a cluster randomized survey.

Yaws, a non-venereal treponemal disease, is targeted for eradication by 2020 but accurate epidemiological data to guide control programs remain sparse. The Solomon Islands reports the second highest number of cases of yaws worldwide. We conducted a cluster randomized survey of yaws in two provinces of the Solomon Islands.

Haemophilus ducreyi associated with skin ulcers among children, Solomon Islands.

During a survey of yaws prevalence in the Solomon Islands, we collected samples from skin ulcers of 41 children. Using PCR, we identified Haemophilus ducreyi infection in 13 (32%) children. PCR-positive and PCR-negative ulcers were phenotypically indistinguishable.

Integrated mapping of lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis: lessons learnt from Ethiopia.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO), international donors and partners have emphasized the importance of integrated control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Integrated mapping of NTDs is a first step for integrated planning of programmes, proper resource allocation and monitoring progress of control. Integrated mapping has several advantages over disease specific mapping by reducing costs and enabling co-endemic areas to be more precisely identified.

Improved survival is associated with treatment at high-volume teaching facilities for patients with advanced stage laryngeal cancer.

Background: Because of the multidisciplinary nature of treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer, the authors hypothesized that treatment at high-volume teaching/research facilities is associated with improved survival.

Methods: After exclusions, 19,326 patients who were diagnosed with advanced laryngeal cancer (stage III and IV) between 1996 and 2002 and who received treatment (chemoradiotherapy [CRT], total laryngectomy [TL], or radiotherapy [RT]) were analyzed from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Facilities were classified into 6 groups (low-volume and high-volume teaching/research facilities, low-volume and high-volume community cancer centers, and low-volume and high-volume community facilities).

Impact of treating facilities' volume on survival for early-stage laryngeal cancer.

Background: Treatment at a high-volume facility has been associated with better outcomes in a variety of conditions. The relationship between volume and survival from laryngeal cancer has not been examined previously.

Methods: A total of 11,446 early-stage laryngeal cancer patients (1996-1998) who reported to the National Cancer Database (NCDB) were analyzed.