title: The field-testing of a novel integrated mapping protocol for neglected tropical diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vertical control and elimination programs focused on specific neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can achieve notable success by reducing the prevalence and intensity of infection. However, many NTD-endemic countries have not been able to launch or scale-up programs because they lack the necessary baseline data for planning and advocacy. Each NTD program has its own mapping guidelines to collect missing data. Where geographic overlap among NTDs exists, an integrated mapping approach could result in significant resource savings. We developed and field-tested an innovative integrated NTD mapping protocol (Integrated Threshold Mapping (ITM) Methodology) for lymphatic filariasis (LF), trachoma, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The protocol is designed to be resource-efficient, and its specific purpose is to determine whether a threshold to trigger public health interventions in an implementation unit has been attained. The protocol relies on World Health Organization (WHO) recommended indicators in the disease-specific age groups. For each disease, the sampling frame was the district, but for schistosomiasis, the sub-district rather than the ecological zone was used. We tested the protocol by comparing it to current WHO mapping methodologies for each of the targeted diseases in one district each in Mali and Senegal. Results were compared in terms of public health intervention, and feasibility, including cost. In this study, the ITM methodology reached the same conclusions as the WHO methodologies regarding the initiation of public health interventions for trachoma, LF and STH, but resulted in more targeted intervention recommendations for schistosomiasis. ITM was practical, feasible and demonstrated an overall cost saving compared with the standard, non-integrated, WHO methodologies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This integrated mapping tool could facilitate the implementation of much-needed programs in endemic countries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, National Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pelletreau
authors.forename: Mawuli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nyaku
authors.forename: Massitan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dembele
authors.forename: Boubacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarr
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Budge
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mathieu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000517:prevention & control; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008302:Mali / Q000453:epidemiology; D008377:Maps as Topic; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D014141:Trachoma / Q000517:prevention & control; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014330:Tropical Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D014944:World Health Organization
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