Abstract

Objective:
The aim of the scoping review is to elucidate challenges in mass drug administration programs with ivermectin to control or eliminate onchocerciasis in endemic countries.

Introduction:
The filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus causes onchocerciasis, a neglected tropical disease that can lead to blindness. Although ivermectin, a potent antifilarial drug, was introduced in 1991 and has been used successfully in mass drug administration programs, complex challenges have prevented the elimination of onchocerciasis, a goal set by World Health Organization in 2009. A comprehensive understanding of these challenges could help program managers and policymakers better target their efforts to control and eliminate onchocerciasis.

Eligibility criteria:
This review will consider literature that includes individuals affected by onchocerciasis who are living in endemic countries. Literature describing the challenges of implementing mass drug administration programs with ivermectin to control or eliminate onchocerciasis will be considered.

Methods:
The review will be conducted according to JBI methodology for scoping reviews and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Emcare (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, and SciELO will be searched. Primary and gray literature in any language from January 1991 onward will be included. Additional studies will be identified by screening references of included articles. Study selection and data extraction will be done independently by 2 reviewers. Data will be analyzed descriptively and presented in tables, graphs, and narrative format.