Tackling onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: new evidence and recommendations for policymaker

This study evaluated a community-based programme to protect children from developing onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy

Abstract

This study in South Sudan evaluated a community-based programme to protect children from developing onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE, or 바카라 사이트˜river epilepsy바카라 사이트™), and to improve the treatment and care of persons with epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic regions.

The policy brief describes the project, the scale of the challenge globally and in South Sudan, its social and economic impacts, and results of the intervention, recommendations and references.

The interventions were found to be extremely effective, delivering a 2% reduction in epilepsy incidence, 99% reduction in blackfly biting rates, 90% increase in reported quality of life of people receiving epilepsy treatment and care, and a 15.8% increase in coverage of ivermectin (to 56.6%).

Results demonstrate that OAE is preventable and treatable. However, additional community engagement efforts are still needed to increase ivermectin coverage to 80% of the population, the level required to fully eliminate onchocerciasis.

This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme.

Citation

Stephen R Jada and others. 바카라 사이트˜Research snapshot: improving the mental health of male refugees바카라 사이트™ Elrha, 2023

Updates to this page

Published 7 February 2024