Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41642919›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2026

Reaching the last mile with ivermectin mass drug administration against onchocerciasis: The case of Kwanware-Ottou persistent transmission focus in the Wenchi health district of Ghana.

Rogers Nditanchou, Akinola Stephen Oluwole, Sapana Basnet, Alexandre Chailloux, Judith Saare, David Agyemang, Sandra Adelaide King, Mike Yaw Osei-Atweneboana, Richard Selby, Joseph Opare and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Rogers NditanchouSightsavers Cameroon Country Office, Bastos, Yaoundé, Cameroon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7472-4608
Akinola Stephen OluwoleNigeria Abuja Country Office, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria.
Sapana BasnetSightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom.
Alexandre ChaillouxSightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom.
Judith SaareNeglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Ministries, Accra, Ghana.
David AgyemangSightsavers Ghana Country Office, Accra, Ghana.
Sandra Adelaide KingSightsavers Ghana Country Office, Accra, Ghana.
Mike Yaw Osei-AtweneboanaThe Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Accra, Ghana.
Richard SelbySightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom.
Joseph OpareNeglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Ministries, Accra, Ghana.
Louise HamillSightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom.
Joseph Nelson Siewe FodjoGlobal Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Campus drie Eiken, Gouverneur Kinsbergen Centrum, Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.
Veronique VerhoevenGlobal Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Campus drie Eiken, Gouverneur Kinsbergen Centrum, Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.
Elena SchmidtSightsavers, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom.
Robert ColebundersGlobal Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Campus drie Eiken, Gouverneur Kinsbergen Centrum, Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite over two decades of Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI), onchocerciasis transmission persists in localized pockets in Ghana, particularly in the Kwanware-Ottou community within the Wenchi Health District. This study trialled a scalable approach to identifying context-specific barriers and solutions for improving CDTI effectiveness. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

findingsA mixed-methods approach was employed, including Geographical Information System mapping, community consultation, census and treatment coverage evaluation, and qualitative assessments. These informed the participatory development of an Action Plan, which was implemented and evaluated across three sub-districts. Key challenges identified and addressed included poor data quality, high population mobility, remote settlements with accessibility issues, limited awareness, and inadequate number and deployment of community drug distributors. As a result, therapeutic coverage increased from 70.8% to 88.2. Seven out of eight communities with pre-intervention coverage below the recommended 65% threshold not only achieved but exceeded this target. Ultimately, all communities met the coverage goal. The intervention also improved data accuracy and quality, community engagement, and adherence to directly observed treatment, while addressing systemic gaps in CDTI delivery. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that a coordinated, locally adapted stimulus package can significantly enhance CDTI performance in areas of persistent onchocerciasis transmission. The approach presents a scalable model for similar endemic settings and aligns with the World Health Organization's 2021-2030 Roadmap for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Indexed as

Antiparasitic AgentsIvermectinMass Drug AdministrationOnchocerciasisGhanaHumansAntiparasitic AgentsIvermectin

Identifiers

PMID41642919
PMCPMC12900439

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.