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Socioeconomic Inequalities in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Systematic Review
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (print), 10(5):e0004546. Public Library of Science, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 10, Iss 5, p e0004546 (2016)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- __Background:__ Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are generally assumed to be concentrated in poor populations, but evidence on this remains scattered. We describe within-country socioeconomic inequalities in nine NTDs listed in the London Declaration for intensified control and/or elimination: lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), trachoma, Chagas’ disease, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), leprosy, and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). __Methodology:__ We conducted a systematic literature review, including publications between 2004–2013 found in Embase, Medline (OvidSP), Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Popline, Lilacs, and Scielo. We included publications in international peer-reviewed journals on studies concerning the top 20 countries in terms of the burden of the NTD under study. __Principal findings:__ We identified 5,516 publications, of which 93 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 59 papers reported substantial and statistically significant socioeconomic inequalities in NTD distribution, with higher odds of infection or disease among poor and less-educated people compared with better-off groups. The findings were mixed in 23 studies, and 11 studies showed no substantial or statistically significant inequality. Most information was available for STH, VL, schistosomiasis, and, to a lesser extent, for trachoma. For the other NTDs, evidence on their socioeconomic distribution was scarce. The magnitude of inequality varied, but often, the odds of infection or disease were twice as high among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups compared with better-off strata. Inequalities often took the form of a gradient, with higher odds of infection or disease each step down the socioeconomic hierarchy. Notwithstanding these inequalities, the prevalence of some NTDs was sometimes also high among better-off groups in some highly endemic areas. __Conclusions:__ While recent evidence on socioeconomic inequalities is scarce for most individual NTDs, for some, there is considerable evidence of substantially higher odds of infection or disease among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. NTD control activities as proposed in the London Declaration, when set up in a way that they reach the most in need, will benefit the poorest populations in poor countries.
- Subjects :
- Bacterial Diseases
Eye Diseases
Social Sciences
Disease
Review
Soil
Families
0302 clinical medicine
Sociology
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine
Schistosomiasis
Public and Occupational Health
030212 general & internal medicine
Child
Children
Lymphatic filariasis
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Neglected Diseases
Socioeconomic Aspects of Health
Systematic review
Infectious Diseases
Trachoma
Helminth Infections
Neglected tropical diseases
Leishmaniasis, Visceral
Neglected Tropical Diseases
lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
lcsh:RC955-962
030231 tropical medicine
Helminthiasis
Odds
Education
03 medical and health sciences
Elephantiasis, Filarial
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Environmental health
Leprosy
Tropical Medicine
Parasitic Diseases
Humans
Chagas Disease
Social Stratification
Socioeconomic status
Educational Attainment
business.industry
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
lcsh:RA1-1270
medicine.disease
Tropical Diseases
Health Care
Ophthalmology
Social Class
Age Groups
Immunology
People and Places
Population Groupings
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19352735
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e4c6b624311f5f58e27f6e0f2be3c485