Improving neglected tropical disease services and integration into primary healthcare in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region, Ethiopia

Authors: Laura Donovan, Tedila Habte, Esey Batisso, Dawit Getachew, Ann-Sophie Stratil, Agonafer Tekalegne, Fikre Seife, Damen Mariam, Kevin Baker

Providing health workers with adapted job aids, supportive supervision and improved diagnostic and medical supplies improved the capacity of enrolled health facilities for detecting, managing and recording target neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Background
Ethiopia is one of the countries with the highest burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 16 of 20 recognised NTDs considered a public health problem, 12 of which have been identified as public health priorities by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health. However, until recently NTDs have not received adequate attention at national and subnational levels in the country. This study assessed feasibility, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of an NTD intervention when integrated into the primary health care system in Ethiopia.

Methods
This study was conducted in Damot Gale district, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia and used a mixed methods approach to evaluate an intervention integrating four common NTDs (trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and podoconiosis) into Ethiopia’s primary healthcare system. The intervention consisted of adapted job aids, supportive supervision and improved supplies of medical tools to improve diagnosis, management and reporting.

Results
The study found that the intervention was feasible and successful at improving the detection, management and reporting across the four common NTD’s included and had a high level of acceptance from health workers. The intervention demonstrated cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion
The findings highlight the need for further investment and consideration of integrating and scaling up NTD interventions at the primary healthcare level in Ethiopia, demonstrating that providing a package of interventions to support integration can be a cost-effective method.

Published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Citation: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2025; 19(2): e0011718.