Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 12; p. e0313957
• Main Authors: Craig, Adam T., Lawford, Harriet, Viali, Satupaitea, Tuitama, George, Lau, Colleen L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 02.12.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Computer and Information Sciences; Computer worms; Consent; Decision making; Diagnosis; Disease transmission; Earth Sciences; Elephantiasis, Filarial - epidemiology; Elephantiasis, Filarial - prevention & control; Elephantiasis, Filarial - transmission; Engineering and Technology; Filariasis; Guidelines; Health aspects; Humans; Insect bites; Islands; Lymphatic diseases; Medicine and Health Sciences; Operations research; Pacific Islands - epidemiology; Parasitic diseases; People and places; Physical Sciences; Population Surveillance - methods; Priorities; Professional ethics; Public health; Regional development; Research ethics; Science Policy; Social Sciences; Study Protocol; Surveillance; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases; Pacific Islands; Australia
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313957

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms, transmitted via mosquito bites. Significant global efforts have led to the interruption of LF transmission, with eight of the 16 previously endemic Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) validated by WHO as having eliminated the disease as a public health problem. Post-validation surveillance (PVS) is recommended to verify the absence of a resurgence in transmission; however, there are no guidelines on how to implement such surveillance effectively. This protocol outlines a research study that aims to explore, synthesise, and prioritise the perspectives of LF program staff from LF-eliminated PICTs. The study will focus on identifying the challenges faced in implementing PVS in the PICT settings and determining corresponding context-relevant operational research priorities. The study will employ a nominal group technique (NGT) involving representatives from LF-eliminated PICTs. The NGT will adhere to a structured process for generating, ranking, and prioritising ideas, followed by group discussions, debates, and the collation of shared views. The research will provide insights into the most significant challenges faced in implementing PVS in the PICTs. It will also identify priority areas where operational research is required to inform policy and practice. To our knowledge, this study is the first to apply a rigorous consensus group method to distil challenges and research priorities for LF PVS in PICTs. We expect that this research will inform the development of national and regional LF guidelines.