02539nas a2200241 4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001400054653001700068653001100085653001300096653001800109100001500127700001600142700001600158700001600174245012000190856006600310300001200376490000700388520188800395022001402283 2022 d c03/202210aArgentina10aBorder areas10aBrazil10aParaguay10aTriple Border1 aOliveira F1 aArcĂȘncio R1 aArcoverde M1 aFronteira I00aAre the neglected tropical diseases under control in the tri-border region between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay? uhttps://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/35404862/2785 a547-5560 v163 a
INTRODUCTION: Implementation of prevention and control measures for communicable diseases in border regions can be challenging and lead to inefficient attempts to control them. We describe evidences on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges regarding implementation of health interventions for control, prevention and treatment of selected neglected tropical diseases (NTD), a group of transmissible diseases typically prevalent in tropical countries and vulnerable populations, in the tri-border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
METHODOLOGY: A systematic literature review of observational and experimental studies was conducted, using PubMed and Bireme databases. Eligibility criteria were location (tri-border area) and subject (health interventions).
RESULTS: Of a total of 595 references identified, 34 studies were included (18 pertaining to leishmaniasis, 11 to dengue, 2 to leprosy, 2 to soil-transmitted helminthiases and 1 to Chagas' disease), with an inclusion rate of 6.4%. The main strengths were the similarity of health interventions between countries and easiness of mobility and communication flows. The main weaknesses were access to rural areas and discrepancies in the number of studies between countries. As for opportunities, we identified increased tourism, economic development and recent increasing research in this field. The main challenges were the absence of studies regarding other prevalent NTD in the region and movement of goods, animals and people across borders.
CONCLUSIONS: Although epidemiological studies are still needed to better understand and assess the prevalence of NTD in the area, mainly in Paraguay, these findings can inform decision-makers and health managers to plan a common strategy to address NTD.
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