Reducing Guinea Worms in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Sample Assignment

Question: Describe about the Reducing Guinea Worms in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa? Answer: Health Condition: In 1986 before the start of the campaign 3.5 million populations were estimated in 18 endemic countries of Asia, Africa who were infected by guinea worm disease and near about 120 millions of persons were at risk. Global important of the health condition: In 2009, fewer than 12,000 cases of this guinea worm disease were reported in the rest of the remaining endemic countries. Only three of the countries have reported approximately 1100 cases and the majority of the disease is reported from Sudan. Intervention or program: With financial and technical support led by United Nations Childrens Fund, the Carter Center, the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and prevention, Near about 20 countries implemented national eradication guinea worm program running through the health ministries. The first intervention of the campaigns includes maintaining the safe water by digging deep well, by using insecticides and purification of water by using cloth filters, education of health, management, and containment of case and surveillance. Cost-Effectiveness: The total cost of the whole program is near $87.5 million. According to the World Bank the campaign is very much cost effective. Economic rate based on the productivity of agriculture in return is approximately 29%. The cumulative cost estimated as of 2008 was near about $130 million. Impact: This eradication campaign had led to 99.8% decrease in the guinea worm disease. In 2009, fewer than 12000 cases were reported. In compared with the year 1986 near about 9 million cases of this disease have been decreased 1. As of 2009, this campaign has prevented near about 64 millions of cases of the population and reduced the number of endemic villages up to 90%. Two ways these environmental and organizational challenges were overcome. Environment Challenges: By protection of the water sources this challenges can be overcome. Prevalence of this disease can be reducing by digging deep wells or borehole wells. A proper safe drinking water service should be provided in order to meet the disease spreading 4. Improved Water sources should be provided to the agriculture in order to decrease this disease. Water can be filtered by the use of cloth filters and also insecticides can be used to overcome. Organizational Challenges: By reducing the poverty and hunger level of the countries this challenges can be decrease. Guinea worm disease is a sign of poverty as well as is a contributor of it 3. Mostly population of poor school education is associated with this disease. SO in order to overcome this challenge a universal primary education is needed to be achieve. By following this collaboration campaign program and implementing some of the principles many other diseases can be eradicated 2. Diseases like malaria can also be controlled by using insecticides in the locality, by providing safe drinking water etc. References: 1. Braune E, Xu Y. The Role of Ground Water in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ground Water. 2010;48(2):229-238. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00557.x. 2. Claude Saha J. Reducing poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: the need for participatory governance. Development in Practice. 2008;18(2):267-272. doi:10.1080/09614520801899192. 3. Fenwick A. The global burden of neglected tropical diseases. Public Health. 2012;126(3):233-236. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2011.11.015. 4. Jones A, Becknell S, Withers P et al. Logistics of Guinea Worm Disease Eradication in South Sudan. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2014;90(3):393-401. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.13-0110.