Publications by authors named "J N Siewe Fodjo"
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess how community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) impacts epilepsy rates in Mvolo County, South Sudan, an area affected by onchocerciasis and high epilepsy prevalence.
- Annual CDTI began in 2002 but faced interruptions in 2016 and 2020, leading to comprehensive surveys in 2020 and 2022 that identified multiple cases of epilepsy and nodding syndrome among the local population.
- Results showed a significant decline in epilepsy and probable nodding syndrome incidence rates over time, despite low CDTI coverage, indicating the need for improved onchocerciasis control measures and increased access to antiseizure medications.
Non-adherence to ivermectin in onchocerciasis-endemic communities with persistent infection in the Bono Region of Ghana: a mixed-methods study.
BMC Infect Dis
November 2023
Background: The World Health Organization has proposed that onchocerciasis elimination (interruption) of transmission be verified in 12 (approximately a third) endemic countries by 2030. The strategy to reach this goal is based on ivermectin Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with high geographical and therapeutic coverage. In addition to coverage, high levels of treatment adherence are paramount.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In onchocerciasis-endemic areas with high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission, a high prevalence of epilepsy has been reported. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in the Bono Region of Ghana following 27 years of implementation of ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA).
Methods: Between October 2020 and August 2021, cross-sectional surveys were conducted in nine communities in the Tain District and Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region of Ghana.
Background: High onchocerciasis transmission predisposes endemic communities to a high epilepsy burden. The 4·4% epilepsy prevalence documented in 2018 in Maridi, South Sudan, prompted the strengthening of onchocerciasis elimination measures. Community-directed treatment with ivermectin was implemented annually in 2017, 2018, and 2019, interrupted in 2020, and re-implemented biannually in 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, the prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high in rural villages.
Objectives: We investigated the efficacy of ivermectin in reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae and predictors for parasitic load following ivermectin treatment in persons with (PWE) and without epilepsy (PWOE).
Methods: Between April and September 2019, 50 PWE and 160 randomly selected PWOE from Msogezi and Mdindo villages participated in a follow-up study.