Craig Adam T, Lawford Harriet, Viali Satupaitea, Tuitama George, Lau Colleen L
UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Oceania University of Medicine Samoa, Apia, Samoa.
PLoS One. 2024 Dec 2;19(12):e0313957. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313957. eCollection 2024.
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.
淋巴丝虫病（LF）是一种由寄生虫引起的被忽视的热带病，通过蚊虫叮咬传播。全球作出了重大努力，导致淋巴丝虫病传播被阻断，16个以前流行淋巴丝虫病的太平洋岛国和领地（PICTs）中有8个已被世界卫生组织确认为消除了该疾病这一公共卫生问题。建议开展验证后监测（PVS）以核实传播是否不会再度出现；然而，对于如何有效开展此类监测尚无指南。
本方案概述了一项研究，旨在探讨、综合并确定来自已消除淋巴丝虫病的太平洋岛国和领地的淋巴丝虫病项目工作人员的观点的优先次序。该研究将着重确定在太平洋岛国和领地环境中开展验证后监测所面临的挑战，并确定与之相关的、符合实际情况的业务研究重点。
该研究将采用名义群体技术（NGT），参与人员包括来自已消除淋巴丝虫病的太平洋岛国和领地的代表。名义群体技术将遵循一个结构化流程来提出想法、进行排序和确定优先次序，随后进行小组讨论、辩论并整理共同观点。
该研究将深入了解在太平洋岛国和领地开展验证后监测所面临的最重大挑战。它还将确定需要开展业务研究以为政策和实践提供信息的优先领域。据我们所知，本研究是首次应用严格的共识群体方法来提炼太平洋岛国和领地淋巴丝虫病验证后监测的挑战和研究重点。我们预计这项研究将为国家和区域淋巴丝虫病指南的制定提供信息。
