Methods and Tools to Strengthen Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) Services

06 Mar 2021
Emily Toubali, Molly Brady, Ernest Mensah, Aryc Mosher, Emily Wainwright, Liz Eddy, Aria Gray, and Alyssa Jordan

This technical brief outlines multi-country experiences in implementing a direct inspection protocol, a situation analysis, and collecting hydrocele and lymphedema patient estimates. These methods and tools were designed to enhance data collection and quality and promote the scaleup of service delivery, among other factors, of LF MMDP activities in the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. The feedback provided from 12 countries demonstrates that these approaches generate useful data, are feasible to implement across the program lifespan from design to evaluation, and in many cases, are very cost-effective. Discussing the pros and cons early-on in the program to determine which method or tool is the best fit, and the timing of use, is recommended.