title: Potential for integrated control of neglected tropical diseases in Ethiopia.
abstract: Ethiopia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, endemic for many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The Ministry of Health is successfully controlling onchocerciasis through community-directed treatment with ivermectin and has implemented health system changes that would allow extension of integrated NTD control to schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and trachoma. Funds are now needed to gain a better understanding of the endemicity and co-endemicity of these diseases and to formulate and pilot integrated packages for mass drug administration (MDA). Based on the experience gained, MDA may then be scaled-up to all NTD-endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Disease Prevention and Control Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Zerihun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tadesse
authors.forename: Afework
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hailemariam
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kolaczinski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014330:Tropical Medicine / Q000379:methods*