Publication: Implementation of Active Case Detection of Visceral Leishmaniasis along with Leprosy through Female Community Health Volunteers in Sarlahi District, Nepal
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and leprosy are important public health problem in
Nepal. Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) play pivotal role to promote
community based health services. Therefore, we designed an implementation
research to assess the effectiveness of active case detection (ACD) and information
education and communication (IEC) campaign of Visceral leishmaniasis cases
along with leprosy cases through Female Community Health Volunteers in Visceral
leishmaniasis endemic 10 Village Development Committees of both Visceral
leishmaniasis and leprosy prevalent Sarlahi district of Nepal.
Objective
To determine the effectiveness of active case search strategy of visceral leishmaniasis
along with leprosy through Female Community Health Volunteers in Sarlahi district.
Method
One hundred fifty one Female Community Health Volunteers of twelve Village
Development Committees were oriented on detection, identification and referral
of Visceral leishmaniasis and leprosy patients. They were oriented on referring
the patients to district hospital for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment. The
intervention was continued up to ten months after training of Female Community
Health Volunteers. Data on number of Visceral leishmaniasis and leprosy patients
detected and referred by Female Community Health Volunteers and detected
through passively at district hospital were collected and indicators was calculated.
Result
Altogether 151 Female Community Health Volunteers were trained from 12 (Village
Development Committees) VDCs of Sarlahi district. Their knowledge on leprosy and
Visceral leishmaniasis related information subsequently increased after training.
None of the Visceral leishmaniasis or leprosy cases were detected actively through
Female Community Health Volunteers. However, two leprosy cases were detected
through household screening.
Conclusion
Female Community Health Volunteers should be provided sufficient knowledge to
use them in community based active case detection of Visceral leishmaniasis and
leprosy.
KEY WORDS
Active case detection, Female community health volunteers, Information education
and communication campaign, Leprosy, Visceral leishmaniasis
Description
Singh VK,1 Joshi AB,1 Gurung CK,1 Banjara MR2
1Public Health and Infectious Disease Research Center,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
2Central Department of Microbiology,
Tribhuwan University, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Keywords
Active case detection, Female community health volunteers, Information education and communication campaign, Leprosy, Visceral leishmaniasis