Impact of COVID-19 on Neglected Tropical Diseases in India
Author Information
Author(s): Ilham Zaidi, Vardha Jagadeeswari, Khayum Abdul, Anjum Sahifa, Chaudhary Shikhar, Bakshi Aditi, Gill Jasmeen Kaur
Primary Institution: The Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
Hypothesis
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of neglected tropical diseases in India?
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the management of neglected tropical diseases in India, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- The pandemic led to resource diversion from neglected tropical disease programs to COVID-19 response efforts.
- Mass drug administration campaigns for neglected tropical diseases faced interruptions due to lockdowns.
- Access to healthcare services for neglected tropical diseases was limited during the pandemic.
- Data collection and surveillance for neglected tropical diseases were disrupted.
- Vulnerable populations faced increased challenges in accessing care for neglected tropical diseases.
Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for people in India to get help for diseases that are often ignored, like tropical diseases, because hospitals were too busy with COVID-19.
Methodology
A narrative review approach analyzing literature published between January 2020 and September 2023 from various databases.
Potential Biases
The review may be influenced by the underrepresentation of studies with null or negative results.
Limitations
The study lacks quantitative evidence to support its conclusions and may be affected by publication bias.
Participant Demographics
The review includes studies on human populations in India affected by neglected tropical diseases across all age ranges and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website