The survey was undertaken to establish the point prevalence of overt podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) in Wolaitta zone, Southern Ethiopia, and also to determine whether age- or sex-related prevalence differences exist. A cross-sectional survey was performed during May-September 2001 among 33 678 residents of 4210 households randomly selected from all seven woredas (administrative districts) of Wolaitta zone. Trained data collectors administered a simple questionnaire and examined household residents for signs of podoconiosis. Of the residents 1890 had overt signs of podoconiosis. The mean zonal prevalence weighted for the woreda size was 5.46%. Most of cases (64%) occurred in the economically productive age groups (16-45 years). The male:female ratio was 1:0.98, reflecting the gender ratio of the zone. Podoconiosis is an important chronic public health problem affecting both men and women in areas of irritant soil. Further research is necessary to establish the economic effects of the condition.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/004947550303300410 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
January 2025
Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a mosquito-borne parasitic disease caused by three species of filarial worms, was first detected in Niue, a small Pacific Island nation of approximately 1,600 people, in 1954. After extensive efforts involving multiple rounds of Mass Drug Administration, Niue was validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having e4liminated LF as a public health problem in 2016. However, no surveillance has been conducted since validation to confirm infection rates have remained below WHO's elimination threshold.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2025
NLR | until No Leprosy Remains, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Background: People with disabilities due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), often encounter situations of stigma and discrimination that significantly impact their mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing services are often not available at the peripheral level in NTD-endemic countries, and there is a need for such services. Basic psychological support for persons with NTDs (BPS-N) from peers is an important potential solution for addressing mental wellbeing problems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParasit Vectors
January 2025
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, 62 Mills Road, Canberra, 2601, ACT, Australia.
Background: Elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a World Health Organization goal, with several countries at or near prevalence thresholds. Where LF cases remain after mass drug administration, they tend to be spatially clustered, with an overdispersed individual worm burden. Both individual and spatial heterogeneities can cause aggregation of infection; however, few studies have investigated the drivers of heterogeneity and implications for disease elimination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2024
Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease affecting over 51 million people in 72 endemic countries. Causative agents of LF are mosquito-borne parasitic nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. The adult parasites impact the integrity of lymphatic vessels and damage valves, leading to a remodeling of the lymphatic system and lymphatic dilation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mycobacteriol
October 2024
Programme Department, RedAid, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of affected individuals, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating mental health services with self-care practices for individuals suffering from leprosy, Buruli ulcer (BU), and lymphatic filariasis (LF). The role of trained Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and NTD champions (NTD-Cs) will be explored to enhance health outcomes in this population.
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