Training in monitoring and epidemiological assessment of mass drug administration for eliminating lymphatic filariasis. Learners' guide

Overview

Effective monitoring and evaluation are necessary to achieve the goals of LF elimination. After mass administration of medicines according to the guidelines established by WHO, programmes must be able to assess whether the interventions have succeeded in lowering the prevalence of infection to a level at which transmission is no longer likely to be sustainable. Transmission assessment survey (TAS) is designed to provide a simple, robust survey design for documenting that the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis among 6–7 year old children is below a predetermined threshold; to provide the evidence base for programme managers that MDA can be stopped; and to assure national governments that national programmes have achieved their elimination goals.

This manual is designed to teach personnel of national programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, including regional and district health personnel, the essential elements of monitoring and evaluating national programmes to eliminate LF. The focus is on planning and implementing TAS as an input to decide whether to move from MDA to post-MDA surveillance.