Evaluation of opportunities to implement community-wide mass drug administration for interrupting transmission of soil-transmitted helminths infections in India
Background The World Health Organization Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) guidelines recommend control of soil transmitted helminth (STH)-associated morbidity with targeted deworming of preschool and school-aged children who are disproportionately affected by STH-associated morbidity. However, this strategy leaves many adults untreated and reinfection within communities perpetuates transmission even when mass drug administration (MDA) coverage of children […]
Gender differences in the perceived need for community-wide deworming: Formative qualitative research from the DeWorm3 study, India
Current soil-transmitted helminth (STH) programs target morbidity control with school-based deworming. Increasing interest in steering neglected tropical disease (NTD) programmes from morbidity control towards disease elimination has prompted evaluation of strategies that may interrupt transmission. The feasibility of interrupting transmission of STH with community-wide deworming is being tested in the ongoing DeWorm3 cluster randomized trial. […]
The Geshiyaro Project: a study protocol for developing a scalable model of interventions for moving towards the interruption of the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosome infections in the Wolaita zone of Ethiopia
Background National deworming programmes rely almost exclusively on mass drug administration (MDA) to children to control morbidity caused by these parasitic infections. The provision of other interventions, consisting of preventive chemotherapy at high population level coverage together with water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) and changes in risk behaviour, should enable sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminths […]
Social marketing interventions for the prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases: A systematic review
Background Social marketing is an approach to behavior change that contributes to disease prevention and control. This study aimed to understand how social marketing interventions have addressed neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It examined the characteristics, breadth of coverage, and outcomes of social marketing interventions focused on the prevention and control of these diseases. Methodology/Principal findings […]
Synthesis of findings from the literature and a qualitative research study on the impacts of gender, disability, and ethnicity in Neglected Tropical Diseases programs
Introduction Act to End NTDs | West, a USAID-funded program that supports national governments to eliminate or control five neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in West Africa including trachoma, lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, conducted a gender and social inclusion analysis to determine how NTDs differentially impact various populations and how gender and […]
New Tools and Nuanced Interventions to Accelerate Achievement of the 2030 Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases
The World Health Organization roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) sets out ambitious targets for disease control and elimination by 2030, including 90% fewer people requiring interventions against NTDs and the elimination of at least 1 NTD in 100 countries. Mathematical models are an important tool for understanding NTD dynamics, optimizing interventions, assessing the efficacy […]
Effectiveness of Integrated Social and Behavior Change Communication Interventions in Mass Drug Administration Campaigns in Enhancing Knowledge, Perceptions, and Preventive Practices for Neglected Tropical Diseases in Jimma
Background: Despite control efforts, including mass drug administration (MDA), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to pose a significant public health threat, particularly in rural Ethiopia. Integrating social and behavior change communication (SBCC) into MDA is essential for success. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored SBCC integrated into MDA campaigns to enhance community […]
Addressing neglected tropical diseases in Africa: a health equity perspective
Africa accounts for over one-third of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Although continental efforts have been made to combat these diseases, there still exists a significant gap in the fight, ranging from a lack of data to multisectoral participation and, most critically, health inequity. Here, we assess the effort made to combat […]
Advancing the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Francophone Countries
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of preventable and treatable diseases that cause immeasurable suffering for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.These diseases can cause severe disability, disfigurement, and death; the burden they place on countries prevents their citizens from reaching their shared potential. The impact of NTDs extends beyond health, limiting the […]
iCHORDS Community Highlight: Dr. Hammed Mogaji

Date: March 2, 2022 My name is Hammed Mogaji and I am a Nigerian. My first degree was in biological sciences (with options in Zoology), and subsequent degrees (MSc and PhD) in Parasitology with a focus on Epidemiology. I hold a lecturing position at Federal University Oye-Ekiti, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Epidemiology at the […]