GNU Health/Neglected Tropical Diseases

Contents

1 Introduction to Neglected Tropical Diseases

2 Chagas Disease

2.1 Chagas Related Surveys

2.2 Chagas Related Laboratory Tests

3 Dengue Fever

3.1 Dengue Related Surveys

3.2 Dengue Related Laboratory Tests

Introduction to Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are a group of infections which are common in
developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are medically diverse in
terms of pathogens, prevention measures, and treatments. Compared to the big three
diseases targeted by the UN Millennium Development Goal No. 6 (http://www.un.org/mil
lenniumgoals/aids.shtml) (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria), NTDs get less funding
for treatment and research. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has prioritized 17
neglected tropical diseases which are common in almost 150 countries, affecting more
than 1.4 billion people. (Read more about neglected tropical diseases (https://en.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/Neglected_tropical_diseases).)

Note: To use the functionality described in this chapter you must have the modules
health_ntd, health_ntd_chagas, and health_ntd_dengue installed. (More information
about modules.)

Chagas Disease
The Chagas disease is caused by a protozoa and spread by contact with infected feces of
the triatomine bug. The protozoan can enter the body via the bug's bite, skin breaks, or
mucous membranes. Infection can result from eating infected food and coming into
contact with contaminated bodily fluids. There are approximately 15 million people
infected with Chagas disease. The chance of morbidity is higher for immuno-
compromised individuals, children, and elderly, but very low if treated early. The
Chagas disease can be diagnosed through a serological test (although the test is not very
accurate) and treated etiologically or with drugs (although the drugs have severe side
effects). (Read more about Chagas disease
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagas_disease).)

Chagas Related Surveys

The module health_ntd_chagas adds the Chagas DU

Survey form to GNU Health. This allows you to
evaluate a domiciliary unit for risks regarding the
Chagas disease. You can find this survey by opening
the Domiciliary Units form and choosing the Chagas
DU Survey via the Relate button in the toolbar.

The Chagas DU Survey allows to store the following Chagas DU Survey form in GNU
Health
information about a domiciliary unit:

Survey Code: A code to identify the survey

(created automatically).
DU: The domiciliary unit which was evaluated (set automatically).
Date: The date of the evaluation.
Status: Choose from "Initial", "Unchanged", "Improved", or "Worsen" to give a
summary of your findings.

Presence of triatomines:

Triatomines: Check if triatomines were found.

Nymphs: Check if nymphs were found.
Domiciliary: Check if triatomines were found in the house.
Peri-Domiciliary: Check if triatomines were found around the house.
Vector: Choose from "T. infestans", "T. brasiliensis", "R. prolixus", "T. dimidiata", or
"P. megistus".

Areas to improve:

Roof: Check if appropriate.

Walls: Check if appropriate.
Floor: Check if appropriate.
Peri-domiciliary: Check if the situation around the house (rather than the house
itself) needs improvement.

Preventive measures:

Bug Traps: Check if bug traps are in place.

Fumigation: Check if the domiciliary unit has been fumigated.
Insecticide Paint: Check if the domiciliary unit has been treated with insecticide-
containing paint.

Chagas Related Laboratory Tests

The module health_ntd_chagas also adds some Chagas disease related tests to the list of
available laboratory tests, including:

CHAGAS BLOOD SMEAR

CHAGAS ELISA
CHAGAS INDIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE - IFA
CHAGAS PCR
CHAGAS STROUT
CHAGAS XENODIAGNOSIS

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted via mosquito bites. The fever is usually
not fatal, but infection with one of four serotypes can increase later susceptibility to
other serotypes, resulting in a potentially fatal disease called severe Dengue. There are
50–100 million dengue fever infections annually in Asia, Latin America, and Northern
Australia. No treatment for either Dengue or severe Dengue exists beyond palliative
care. (Learn more about dengue fever (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever).)

Dengue Related Surveys

The module health_ntd_degnue adds the Dengue DU

Dengue form to GNU Health. This allows you to
evaluate a domiciliary unit for risks regarding dengue
fever. You can find this survey by opening the
Domiciliary Units form and choosing the Dengue DU
Survey via the Relate button in the toolbar.

The Dengue DU Survey allows to store the following Dengue DU Survey form in GNU
Health
information about a domiciliary unit:

Survey Code: A code to identify the survey

(created automatically).
DU: The domiciliary unit which was evaluated (set automatically).
Date: The date of the evaluation.
Status: Choose from "Initial", "Unchanged", "Improved", or "Worsen" to give a
summary of your findings.

Presence of larvae:

Larvae: Check if aedes aegypti larvae were found.

Domiciliary: Check if larvae were found in the house.
Peri-Domiciliary: Check if larvae were found around the house.

Areas to improve:

Tyres: Check if appropriate.

Animal Water Containers: Check if appropriate.
 Flower Vase: Check if appropriate.
Potted Plants: Check if appropriate.
Tree Holes: Check if appropriate.
Rock Holes: Check if appropriate.

Preventive measures:

Ovitraps: Check if ovitraps are in place.

Fumigation: Check if the domiciliary unit has been fumigated.

General:

Notes
Next survey: The date of the next evaluation of this domiciliary unit.

Dengue Related Laboratory Tests

The module health_ntd_dengue also adds some dengue fever related test to the list of
available laboratory tests, including:

DENGUE ELISA
DENGUE IgG
DENGUE PCR
DENGUE PRNT

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