Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
the distribution of ivermectin and albendazole for the control of lymphatic
filariasis and STH reduces the morbidity caused by strongyloidiasis,
pinworm infections, and scabies; the praziquantel distributed for the
control of schistosomiasis reduces the morbidity due to opisthorchiasis,
clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, and taeniasis.
It is therefore evident that an evaluation of the PC benefits based on the
effects on the diseases targeted alone is frequently reductive because it
does not provide the real extent of the benefits obtained. Furthermore,
a complete evaluation of the benefits is frequently very difficult to
conduct because of the lack of information on the baseline epidemiology
of all the diseases prevented.
M
ONITORING AND EVALUATIO
N
WHO sees monitoring and evaluation as an integral part of any STH
control program, essential to ensure both efficient implementation and
maximal benefit
for
the infected individuals,
their
families, and
communities.
In a recently published manual,
11
in the monitoring and evaluation
chapter, three classes of indicator are identified: process indicators,
performance indicators, and impact indicators; and for each of these
classes a number of
indicators and their mode of calculation are
presented.
One important aspect is that the cost of the monitoring process should
not divert resources from the control activities. At the planning stage, it is
recommended that approximately 5
10% of the budget be reserved for
e
monitoring activities.
WHO is collecting annual coverage data from all the countries imple-
menting preventive chemotherapy programs, in order to report on the
achievement of
the global
target of 75% coverage for school-aged
children.
SCALING
UP STH CONTROL AND FUTUR
E TRENDS
The global goal endorsed in 2001 by the World Health Assembly
(resolution WHA 54.19), i.e. attaining with regular de-worming at least
75% and up to 100% of all school-aged children at risk of morbidity by
2010, was not reached. By that date, only a third of all children in need
of de-worming had received appropriate treatment.
12
Anticipating this problem, in 2007, WHO convened the first Global
Partners' Meeting on NTDs. Some 200 participants attended the meeting,
including representatives of WHO member states, United Nations
