This session is titled “Never Treated Populations: A Deep Dive Into Insights from Africa.” This webinar was recorded on December 10, 2024 at 10 am EST. To view the recording, click here: https://youtu.be/NJ6RMwKWDp8?si=FQr9o8IwzWZJQC1O.

In this session, we are pleased to welcome two expert speakers who will provide an in-depth look at the ‘Never Treated’ populations, with a particular focus on the African region. This talk is part of an ongoing series dedicated to exploring the issue of never treatment.

Session topic: 

This session will delve into targeting underserved communities through NTD interventions. First, we will have a talk delivered by Dr. Diana Stukel titled the “Unraveling the Mystery of Never Treated Populations: An Investigation Using Results from Coverage Surveys Across Six West African Countries”. Following up, Dr. Faraja will be discussing the how the Tanzania National NTD Control Program has made significant progress in eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF). However, persistent transmission in certain districts, like Kilwa, was a challenge. Despite multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA), a 2021 coverage evaluation survey (CES) revealed that 23% of respondents had never been treated. To address this issue, the program conducted in-depth research in fishing communities, a population group often missed by MDA. The study found high levels of never treated and antigen positivity in these communities. In response, the program implemented targeted interventions, including: sensitization campaigns involving boat owners and community leaders, iDARE /SBC behavior change activities, microplanning and increased number of community drug distributors (CDDs), including fishermen, and establishment of fixed drug distribution posts in fishing communities. These efforts have led to improved MDA coverage in fishing communities, bringing the program closer to its goal of LF elimination.

Speaker:

Dr. Faraja Lyamuya

Faraja S. Lyamuya is a Medical Doctor and graduate of the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program. She currently serves as the Lymphatic Filariasis focal point at the Tanzania Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program (NTDCP). With over 13 years of experience as a Medical Doctor and Regional NTD coordinator at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, she brings a wealth of knowledge in field investigations, including outbreak-prone diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, and NTDs. Driven by a passion for public health, she is committed to addressing health inequities and improving access to health services. She believes that research and innovation can significantly impact lives.

Dr. Diana Stukel

Diana Stukel has over 30 years of working experience with over 15 years in the area of international development. In October 2018, she joined the Act to End NTDs | West Program within FHI 360 as the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. She currently oversees a team of 12 MEL staff within Act | West, an eight-year USAID-funded project focused on control and elimination of five preventive chemotherapy NTDs across 11 West African countries. Prior her work on Act | West, her focus was on food security programs as Senior Scientist within the FANTA Project at FHI 360. Earlier in her career, she held the posts of Head of Methodology for the UNESCO Institute for Statistics in Montreal, and Interregional Advisor on Population and Housing Censuses for the United Nations Statistics Division in New York, for a collective seven year period. Diana began her career working for Statistics Canada in Ottawa, Canada, and also worked as a Senior Statistician within the private sector for Westat Inc. in Washington, DC. Diana has extensive experience as a survey statistician and has conducted dozens of large- and small-scale surveys in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings. Dr. Stukel holds a Master’s and PhD in Mathematics and Statistics from Carleton University.