Lessons from the field: delivering trachoma mass drug administration safely in a COVID-19 context

Juliana A Amanyi-Enegela; Nicholas Burn; Osasuyi Dirisu; Bassey Ebenso; Girija Sankar; Rinpan Ishaya; Christopher Ogoshi; Joseph Kumbur; Bright Ekweremadu; Babar M Qureshi

doi:10.1093/trstmh/trab102

Lessons from the field: delivering trachoma mass drug administration safely in a COVID-19 context

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Oct 1;115(10):1102-1105. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trab102.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Inclusive Eye Health and Neglected Tropical Diseases Initiative, CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V., Wellington House, East Road CB1 1BH, Cambridge, UK.
² National Population Council Abuja, Nigeria.
³ Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds.
⁴ Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS): 5A Naomi Jugu Drive, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
⁵ CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V Nigeria Country Office, 13 Okemesi Crescent, Garki 2, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

PMID: 34291283
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab102

Abstract

The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) interim guidance released by the World Health Organization recommended suspension of non-urgent community health interventions, including mass drug administration (MDA) for neglected tropical diseases. However, with no end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, it was crucial to find ways to restart MDA while testing measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between health workers, volunteers and communities. Consequently, guidelines were developed for delivering MDA safely in a COVID-19 context and the training and implementation were assessed through an observation checklist. The study also gathered data on the feasibility of using the MDA platform to disseminate COVID-19 health education. The results suggest that delivering MDA safely in a COVID-19 context is possible but revealed significant challenges in using the MDA platform for COVID-19 education.

Keywords: COVID-19 context; mass drug administration; neglected tropical diseases; trachoma.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
COVID-19*
Humans
Mass Drug Administration
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2
Trachoma* / drug therapy
Trachoma* / epidemiology
Trachoma* / prevention & control

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents