Do we have a match? Calculating the potential for integrating neglected tropical disease control programmes for sustainable public health policy.

BACKGROUND

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect the poorest populations. To meet the 2030 World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap targets, integrated and cross-cutting approaches are recommended to streamline programmatic operations across NTDs. Integration is not a new concept. But given recent policy shifts, disruptions to programmes and funding constraints, it is increasingly important. We consider integration as opportunities for coordination or collaboration across NTDs. Research is needed to identify the criteria and requirements necessary for successful programme integration, assess barriers, and determine the relative importance of each criterion to identify potential disease pairings.

METHODS

We applied Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodologies to gather expert and stakeholder insights on integrated control programmes for NTDs. During a facilitated workshop, participants discussed their interpretations of the terms 'programmatic integration' and 'cross-cutting' in relation to integrating NTDs programmes. 11 criteria for integration were identified and weighed by participants. Using WHO Roadmap baseline values, pairwise disease combinations were assessed by multiplying criterion weightings with disease scores, generating a priority matrix.

RESULTS

Workshop participants weighted community engagement and common vectors and transmission routes as the most important of the criteria. Three disease combinations with the highest potential for integration were identified, Dengue and Chikungunya, Taeniasis & Cysticercosis and Echinococcosis, and Trachoma and Lymphatic Filariasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The workshop outcomes provide valuable insights into key factors for integrating NTD control programmes and highlight potential disease pairings for further exploration. While some disease matches were expected, others were less obvious. The highest-scoring combinations should now be further evaluated for integration potential.