Assessment of compliance with tetracycline eye ointment treatment to accelerate the elimination of trachoma in Yobe State, Nigeria.

Background: Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, remains a significant public health concern in many regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and in Yobe State, Nigeria. One approach for elimination involves administering tetracycline eye ointment (TEO) to children <6 months of age as part of annual mass drug administration (MDA), aligning with the World Health Organization's 'A' component of the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene and Environmental sanitation) strategy for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. However, suboptimal compliance rates in affected populations pose challenges, potentially serving as a reservoir for reinfection and hindering progress toward trachoma elimination.

Community Feedback on Mass Medicines Administration for Neglected Tropical Diseases in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of annual mass drug administration (MDA) as the strategy for controlling and eliminating the five preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs). The success of MDAs hinges on community acceptance, active participation, and compliance. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of community members, to obtain a more thorough understanding of their openness and willingness to participate in MDA and other NTD elimination activities.

Lessons from integrating mental health as part of lymphatic filariasis morbidity management and disability prevention services in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease affecting >120 million people worldwide. LF has debilitating effects on humans and leads to morbidity and sometimes irreversible disability. A significant proportion of persons affected by LF morbidity also suffer from ill health, such as depression, anxiety, pain, stigma and social isolation due to disfigurement, as well as loss of mobility, livelihood and income.

Lessons from the field: delivering trachoma mass drug administration safely in a COVID-19 context.

The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) interim guidance released by the World Health Organization recommended suspension of non-urgent community health interventions, including mass drug administration (MDA) for neglected tropical diseases. However, with no end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, it was crucial to find ways to restart MDA while testing measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between health workers, volunteers and communities. Consequently, guidelines were developed for delivering MDA safely in a COVID-19 context and the training and implementation were assessed through an observation checklist.