Role of Community Health Workers in the Global Effort to Eradicate Onchocerciasis

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the importance of ensuring continuous funding for onchocerciasis mass treatment programs. Data/information used: The Kendeya Community Health Partnership (KCHP) sponsored a community health worker (CHW) re-training in Ivermectin distribution for 20 CHWs in the Khossanto Township, Saraya health district, in southeastern Senegal where onchocerciasis was endemic. Cuts in World Health Organization funding for Senegal's Onchocerciasis Program limited the ability of the government to continue CHW training and monitoring in Saraya in 2009. This led to government reports of reduced coverage rates (60%) and anecdotal evidence of CHWs prescribing incorrect doses of Ivermectin. Methods: KCHP held a re-training for CHWs working in Khossanto. The Director of Primary Healthcare Services for the government health team led the participative training session in both French and Malinké. The team evaluated CHWs' understanding how to prescribe Ivermectin and how to record distribution data through oral pre-testing. Information was reinforced through a participative discussion and CHWs were provided with tools to facilitate data collection. Major results: Through pre- and post-testing analysis, the government health team confirmed reports of undertrained CHWs. The participative nature of the training increased the confidence of CHWs in both their understanding of onchocerciasis and of their responsibilities. Policy recommendations/implications: Onchocerciasis mass treatment programs' strategy of achieving uninterrupted 100% coverage depends on CHW involvement and government health team monitoring and training. Without sustainable and adequate funding, Ivermectin distribution campaigns cannot be maintained and the global push to eradicate onchocerciasis will not be realized.