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    Research study

    Onchocerciasis elimination mapping

    On this page

    • Main objectives
    • Summary
    • Report
    On this page
    • Main objectives
    • Summary
    • Report

    Main objectives

    • To operationalise a methodology and process for collecting data where Onchocerca volvulus (OV) disease is uncertain or where transmission is considered likely but not yet known
    • To help strengthen technical capacity and provide standardised data capture systems
    • To create a data flow system that facilitates evidence-based decision-making

    Summary

    The Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping (OEM) Project Phase I, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been developing a template of actions that will lead to a standardised approach in accomplishing OEM in the remaining hypoendemic areas by 2020.

    By building the foundations and preparatory work for developing, operationalising and the scaling up of OEM protocols, a standardised mapping protocol and implementation approach is evolving. One of the key objectives and actions towards achieving this is piloting the WHO Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Sub-group (OTS) protocol in selected districts. As part of the selection process, our analysis sought to include ivermectin naïve districts, where we might expect to find a positive signal using OV16, and districts where loa loa was not found to be co-endemic.

    A further consideration to country and district choice has been to avoid overlap with any current research being conducted by the taskforce. With these variables in mind, we have, in consultation with ESPEN, selected districts in Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique to operationalise the protocol, and conduct the pilot. From these pilots we hope to ensure that the lessons learned are transcribed into a standardised implementation approach, which can then ensure that the subsequent Phase II will secure funding and ensure that the remaining hypoendemic areas receive the appropriate actions to eliminate the disease.

    Report

    Read the report (pdf)
    Update on the Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping (OEM) Project

    Related tags

    Onchocerciasis
    Mozambique
    Ghana
    Nigeria
    Study details
    Start date
    October 2017
    Finish date
    November 2022
    Main contact
    Becks Hill
    Project Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases
    rhill@sightsavers.org
    Philip Downs
    Technical Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases
    pdowns@sightsavers.org
    Partners
    • ESPEN
    • Ministry of Health
    Funders
    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Countries
    Mozambique
    Ghana
    Nigeria
    Themes/conditions
    Onchocerciasis
    Study details
    Start date
    October 2017
    Finish date
    November 2022
    Main contact
    Becks Hill
    Project Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases
    rhill@sightsavers.org
    Philip Downs
    Technical Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases
    pdowns@sightsavers.org
    Partners
    • ESPEN
    • Ministry of Health
    Funders
    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Countries
    Mozambique
    Ghana
    Nigeria
    Themes/conditions
    Onchocerciasis

    Related research studies

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    Evaluating whether the ivermectin mass drug administration stoppage threshold for onchocerciasis can be safely adjusted

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