IngentaConnect Rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO): its appli...

Authors: Noma, M.¹; Nwoke, B.E.B.²; Nutall, I.³; Tambala, P.A.⁴; Enyong, P.⁵; Namsenmo, A.⁶; Remme, J.³; Amazigo, U.V.¹; Kale, O.O.⁷; Sékétéli, A.¹

Source: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Volume 96, Supplement 1, March 2002 , pp. 29-39(11)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

One of the fundamental challenges that the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) has had to face is how to identify the endemic communities where its mass ivermectin-treatment operations are to be carried out in conformity with its stated objective of targetting the most highly endemic, affected and at-risk populations. This it has done by adopting a technique, known as the rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO), that provides data on the distribution and prevalence of onchocerciasis. Integration of the REMO data into a geographical information system (GIS) enables delineation of zones of various levels of endemicity, and this is an important step in the planning process for onchocerciasis control. Zones are included in (or excluded from) the APOC-funded programme of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), depending on whether or not their levels of onchocercal endemicity reach the threshold set by APOC. This review describes the application of the REMO/GIS technique by APOC in its operations, and identifies the remaining related challenges.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1179/000349802125000637

Affiliations: 1: African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), 01 B.P. 549, Ougadougou 01, Burking Faso 2: Parasitology and Entomology, School of Biological Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria 3: World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland 4: National Onchocerciasis Task Force (NOTF) Secretariat, Blantyre, Malawi 5: Tropical Medicine Research Station, Kumba, Cameroon 6: Ministére de la Santé et de la Population, Bangui, Central African Republic 7: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

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Rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO): its application by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC)