Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Katrin Bote WHO SEARO -Neglected Tropical Diseases Katrin Bote 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Deena Shrestha Center for Health and Disease Studies Nepal, 14, Kathmandu, Nepal Deena Shrestha
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | LF Morbidity based Hotspot Identification Survey: A Way towards Endgame |
| Public title | LF Morbidity based Hotspot Identification Survey: A Way towards Endgame |
| Background | significant public health challenge in numerous tropical regions, ranking as the second leading infectious cause of disability worldwide. Although there has been substantial progress, the target for LF elimination in Nepal has been postponed to 2030. |
| Objectives | This research project is focused on identifying LF hotspots and implementing treatment programs, addressing existing method limitations. The study aims to confirm these hotspots, evaluate the specificity of diagnostics, and compare different diagnostic techniques to enhance LF control. |
| Study Methods | The study will involve a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative approach conducted in Sunsari and Saptari districts of Nepal, involving around 1500 participants. The screening plan involves assessing 300 individuals in each potential hotspot, and randomly 5 potential hotspots with ≥10 LF morbidities will be taken as study sites. To confirm the presence of an ongoing hotspot microfilaria levels of ≥1% in any enumeration area, village, or former administrative ward will be used. Additionally, socio-demographic and environmental risk factors will be collected through structured interviews, including data on age, sex, residency length, clinical condition, history of mass drug administration, and use of vector control measures. Household information, such as household size and infrastructure, will also be collected. To assess diagnostic specificity, 5% of negative samples will be randomly selected for PCR testing. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The proposed survey enables targeting interventions, hotspot mapping for strategic resource allocation, and monitoring the impact. Thus, this survey can be considered a crucial component of the global effort to eliminate LF as a public health threat. In short, this confirmatory hotspot survey in hotspots is expected to prevent resurgence of transmission towards the endgame strategy. Evidence generated by this study will be useful to revise national guidelines on LF elimination and guide program managers to conduct similar studies in other districts. |
| Keywords | Lymphatic filariasis, hotspot, mapping, neglected tropical diseases |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Aug-2024 |
| End Date | 31-Jul-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Center for Health and Disease Studies Nepal |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| Nepal | |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | Infectious Disease |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary and secondary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |