article · Global Journal of Health Science
Trachoma continues to affect low-income communities despite elimination efforts using Mass Drug Administration. An investigation into Trachoma endemic districts in Tanzania, specifically Monduli, Mpwapwa, and Kalambo, examined the factors that hinder programme success. Analysis of surveillance reports and discussions with healthcare managers, frontline workers, and community drug distributors revealed multiple operational barriers. Key obstacles include deficiencies in planning and programme coordination across regional and district councils, challenges in household registration, and weaknesses in supply chain logistics. In addition, community perceptions regarding Azithromycin negatively influence the uptake of treatments. Overcoming these barriers requires long-term strategic collaboration with partners, comprehensive situational analyses, and targeted socio-cultural communication materials designed to address misconceptions among specific demographic groups such as elders, men, women, and youth.
Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease that threatens the health of vulnerable populations in low-income regions. Identifying the operational breakdowns and cultural misconceptions that impede mass drug delivery programmes allows health authorities to address root causes, improve treatment coverage, and move closer to successfully eliminating the disease.
The findings can inform public health agencies, non-governmental organisations, and healthcare logistics providers seeking to design more effective drug delivery systems and community engagement tools. While the research is applied and based on operational field assessments, it provides policy and strategic guidance rather than a direct commercial product. The abstract does not indicate a direct pathway to commercialisation.
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BACKGROUND: Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease affecting many communities in the low-income countries. This study explored in the Trachoma endemic districts in Tanzania factors that have contributed to poor success in the elimination of trachoma using Mass Drug Administration. METHODS: We reviewed reports from the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Control Programme on the assessment outcome investigations on trachoma surveillance in Monduli, Mpwapwa and Kalambo districts in Tanzania. The reports contained data collected using interviews and focus group discussions with key informants, District Medical Officers, NTD Programme Coordinators, WASH focal persons, veterinarians; frontline health workers and community drug distributors (CDDs). Quotes from participants were used to generate themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Planning for mass drug administration; regional and district council’s programme coordination; household registration; logistic, supply chain and community perception on Azithromycin emerged as major concerns. CONCLUSION: Participants expressed that planning, logistical, operational issues and socio-cultural factors have compromised successful elimination of Trachoma in the studied communities. It is recommended that the NTDC programme should develop targeted socio-cultural, behavioural, change communication materials for elders, men, women and youth groups and should work closely with partners to conduct situation analysis and develop a long-term strategy to address social norms, misconceptions about trachoma and the medicines.
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DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v17n4p48
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