Improving Access to Preventive Chemotherapy for Neglected Tropical Diseases Using Community Mapping and Participatory Research Among Mobile and Migrant Populations in Nigeria

What this Trial Is About

Neglected tropical diseases NTDs affect over one billion people worldwide, especially in remote and underserved communities. This research evaluates strategies to improve access to preventive chemotherapy among mobile and migrant populations MMPs in Nigeria, who often miss treatment during mass drug administration MDA campaigns. The study focuses on understanding migration patterns and social networks to enhance treatment reach and coverage in these hard-to-reach groups. The study involves a multi-site approach across 15 communities in three Nigerian states with pastoralist, fishing, and agrarian populations. It includes four phases assessing baseline NTD burden and treatment coverage, mapping migration and social networks, co-developing tailored delivery strategies with communities, and implementing and evaluating the modified mass administration of medicines MAM campaign. The new approach adapts timing, locations, and supportive livelihood services to better fit MMPs mobility and needs. Participants will provide biological samples and participate in surveys, interviews, and workshops to inform and assess the intervention. Researchers will measure treatment reach, coverage, compliance, and acceptability, as well as implementation outcomes such as adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. The study aims to generate evidence on the feasibility and impact of the community-informed delivery model to support inclusive NTD programming in Nigeria by the end of 2027.

Expanding Access to Preventive Chemotherapy Among Mobile and Migrant Populations