Non communicable and communicable diseases

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not transmissible from one person to another through contact, air, water, soil, and other media
• NCDs may genetically run in the family and pass from one generation to another
• Chronic diseases are impairments of bodily structure and/or functions that necessitate a modification of the patient's normal life and persist for an extended period of time
• NCDs kill about 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally
• More than 15 million people die from NCDs between the ages of 30 and 69 years annually; 85% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of NCD deaths, followed by cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes
• Common classifications of NCDs include Cardiovascular Diseases, Central Nervous System diseases, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Endocrine Disorders, Haematological System diseases, Musculoskeletal System diseases, Neoplasm and Cancers, Renal System diseases, and Dermatological diseases
• Modifiable risk factors for NCDs include alcohol use, tobacco use, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, and environmental risk factors
• Non-modifiable risk factors for NCDs include age, gender, race, ethnicity, and family/genetic predisposition
• Primary preventions for NCDs include health education, regular exercise, shunning tobacco, reduced alcohol intake, positive lifestyle modification, legislation and policy, environmental manipulations, and regular screening for those at risk
• Secondary prevention involves early diagnosis and treatment, while tertiary prevention includes limiting disease progress by treatment and rehabilitation to restore functions
• Tropical diseases affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations, limiting their access to interventions and services needed for treatment
• Approximately 1 billion people, or 1 in 6 of the world's population, are affected by tropical diseases
• Tropical diseases are responsible for an estimated 500,000 to 1 million deaths annually and result in 57 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost
• Common tropical diseases include Buruli ulcer, Cysticercosis, Dracunculiasis, Dengue haemorrhagic fever, Leprosy, Rabies, Chagas disease, and more
• More than 70% of countries affected by neglected tropical diseases are low-income and low middle-income countries
• Neglected tropical diseases do not spread to distant countries, cause life-long infections, and are relatively neglected by research and funding
• The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) is co-sponsored by WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, and the World Bank
• The TDR aims to support infectious diseases research, strengthen health research capacity in low and middle-income countries, and share knowledge for policies and practice
• The TDR was initiated in May 1974 to intensify research on major tropical parasitic diseases and define research priorities in disease-endemic areas
• The TDR has an administrative structure including a Joint Coordinating Committee, Standing Committee, and Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee
• Phases in TDR include the development of new drugs for leprosy, malaria, and sleeping sickness, support for field research and genomics, and global collaboration in genomics
• The World Health Organization recommends five public-health strategies for the prevention and control of tropical diseases
• Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is caused by Dracunculus medinensis and is transmitted by ingesting infected cyclops in drinking water
• Tropical diseases are prevalent in tropical & sub-tropical areas and less prevalent in temperate climates
• Schistosomiasis is largely confined to sub-Saharan Africa and causes nearly 300,000 fatalities per year, making it the second leading parasitic killer after malaria
• Schistosomiasis causes nearly 300,000 fatalities/year, making it the second leading parasitic killer in the world after malaria
• Neglected tropical diseases are a symptom of poverty and disadvantage, affecting the poorest populations with little political voice
• Schistosomiasis reservoirs:

  • Humans (S. heamatobium, S.mansoni & S.Japanicum)
  • Animals (S. japanicum)
• Schistosomiasis transmission: Contact with infected water
• Schistosomiasis vector: Water snail – Bulinus, Biomphalaria, onchomelanus
• Schistosomiasis morbidity:

  • Severe organ pathology, anaemia, malnutrition, stunted growth, impaired cognitive development
  • Intestinal schistosomiasis: hepatosplenomegaly, periportal liver fibrosis and portal hypertension
  • Urogenital schistosomiasis: haematuria, dysuria, hydronephrosis, calcification of the bladder and bladder cancer
• Schistosomiasis control measures:

  • Vector control
  • Baylucide, removing of vegetation
  • Provision of safe water and adequate sanitation
  • Chemotherapy (MDA):
  • Praziquantel (universal)
  • Oxamniquine (S.M)
  • Metrifonate (S.H)
  • Health Education
• Lymphatic Filariasis organisms: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori
• Lymphatic Filariasis occurrence:

  • Globally, 1 billion people live in the 72 endemic countries; mostly in the Asian countries
  • Over 120 million people are currently infected, with about 40 million disfigured and incapacitated by the disease
• Lymphatic Filariasis reservoirs:

  • Humans (W.B exclusively)
  • Animals (B.M which also affects humans)
• Lymphatic Filariasis transmission: Culex, Anopheles & Mansonia Spp.
• Lymphatic Filariasis morbidity:

  • Acute: Adenolymphangitis
  • Chronic: Lymphedema & Elephantiasis
• Lymphatic Filariasis control measures:

  • Mass Drug Administration (MDA) {DEC 6mg/kg or Ivermectin 150-200mcg/kg + Albendazole 400mg single dose}
  • Vector Control
  • Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) strategies: MDA yearly for ≥ 5 yrs, Periodic Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping, hygiene & skin care of affected limb, prevention of LF-related disability, linkages with similar treatment programmes
• Onchocerciasis (River blindness) organism: Onchocerca Volvulus