Onchocerciasis Control: Vision for the Future from a Ghanaian Perspective
Author Information
Author(s): Mark J Taylor, Kwablah Awadzi, María-Gloria Basáñez, Nana Biritwum, Daniel Boakye, Boakye Boatin, Moses Bockarie, Thomas S Churcher, Alex Debrah, Geoffrey Edwards, Achim Hoerauf, Sabine Mand, Graham Matthews, Mike Osei-Atweneboana, Roger K Prichard, Samuel Wanji, Ohene Adjei
Primary Institution: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What are the research priorities for alternative drug and treatment regimes for onchocerciasis control in Ghana?
Conclusion
The meeting identified urgent research priorities to address the challenges of onchocerciasis control in Ghana, particularly in light of potential ivermectin resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- Onchocerciasis is endemic in 9 out of 10 regions in Ghana.
- 3.2 million people are at risk of onchocerciasis in Ghana.
- High infectivity rates of flies and significant microfilaria prevalence were observed in several communities.
- Suboptimal responses to ivermectin treatment were documented in multiple studies.
Takeaway
Doctors are trying to find new ways to treat a disease called onchocerciasis because the usual medicine isn't working as well anymore.
Methodology
The study involved a meeting to discuss research priorities and included a two-phase epidemiological study with 2501 individuals from endemic communities.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent all regions affected by onchocerciasis due to the focus on specific communities.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from 19 onchocerciasis endemic communities in Ghana, with varying levels of ivermectin treatment history.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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