Vitamin A Deficiency is the leading cause of pediatric
blindness and a major determinant of childhood
mortality and maternal death. Under-five child
mortality can be decreased by 25-35% through a
six-month high-dose vitamin A capsule, which can
be safely and efficiently distributed by community-based
volunteers. Hellen Keller International and The
Micronutrient Initiative (MI) have already begun
co-distribution of vitamin A supplements through
ComDT in Nigeria, southern Sudan, and Tanzania.
Results show increased coverage of vitamin A supplementation
from below 30% with routine health facility-based
distribution to above 80% with ComDT. APOC and
MI are, currently, working together to scale up
this co-distribution of ivermectin and vitamin
A supplements in other APOC countries, including
Angola, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Schistosomiasis
is the second most prevalent tropical disease
after malaria. Approximately 160 million people
in sub-Saharan Africa are infected, making up
80% of the cases worldwide. Children are especially
vulnerable to contracting schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis
progressively damages the bladder, intestines,
liver, and kidneys, and often causes bladder cancer
in advanced cases. It is present in much of sub-Saharan
Africa and co-endemic with Riverblindness in many
of the APOC countries. Praziquantel is safe, inexpensive,
and effective in a single dose in treating all
types of schistosomiasis. Currently, APOC has
begun co-distribution of ivermectin and praziquantel
in Nigeria and Uganda.
HIV/AIDS
prevalence in Guinea is about 5% with a contraceptive
access rate between 1-5%. Statistics show the
unmet demand for contraceptives in Guinea reaches
25-30%. Guinean Family Planning Associations’
rural health services have only been able to reach
approximately 500 villages nationwide, in the
past. The OCP/SIZ ivermectin distribution network
is able to reach 2,400 villages and 900,000 people
with 3,800 community distributors. A rural health
pilot project concerning HIV/AIDS and reproductive
health is underway using the ComDT in Guinea.
This project advocates for the protection against
HIV/AIDS by contraceptive distribution and knowledge
sharing that is passed down through the OCP/SIZ
ivermectin distribution network.
Other
project interventions that APOC is linking to
the ComDT network include:
-
Guinea Worm intervention in Nigeria;
-
Immunizations for Polio, Measles, and others
in Cameroon, Chad, DRC, southern Sudan, Tanzania,
and Uganda;
- Eye
Care, including primary eye care and cataract
identification, in Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Nigeria,
and southern Sudan; and
-
Malaria bed net distribution in southern Sudan.
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Lymphatic
Filariasis (LF) causes kidney damage, physical disfigurement,
and social ostracism. It is the fourth-leading cause
of permanent disability world-wide. It has infected
approximatly 43 million people in 37 countries in
sub-Saharan Africa. All 30 countries which currently
participate in APOC and in OCP are co-endemic with
Riverblindness and LF. Ivermectin is effective in
clearing the bloodstream of microfilarial infection
with LF when combined with the drug
albendazole. Accordingly, Merck & Co. announced
the extension of their Mectizan donation program
to control LF in Africa. Ivermectin will be given
free of charge to control LF in every country in
Africa where Riverblindness and LF co-exist. APOC
has already begun co-distribution of ivermectin
and albendazole for LF in Nigeria. 
