Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41941535›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2026

Integration of population-based surveys for neglected tropical diseases: A scoping review.

Amanuel Belay, Agumasie Semahegn, Binyam Tesfaw Hailu, Abebaw Fekadu, Gail Davey, Rana Ahmed, Hope Simpson

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Amanuel BelayCentre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0937-9432
Agumasie SemahegnCentre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Binyam Tesfaw HailuSchool of Earth Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abebaw FekaduCentre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gail DaveyGlobal Health and Infection Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Rana AhmedGlobal Health and Infection Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Hope SimpsonGlobal Health and Infection Department, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) can be controlled by interventions in populations with disease or biomarker prevalence above certain thresholds, but surveys to identify these target populations drive up the resources required. Existing survey guidelines focus on single diseases, missing opportunities to collect and analyse data on multiple co-occurring diseases more efficiently. Therefore, this scoping review aims to identify and synthesise strategies for integrating NTD surveys, evaluate costs and cost savings, and summarise key challenges and recommendations.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive scoping review, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically searched for relevant studies until September 2024. Study characteristics such as survey design, sampling methods, and survey integration approaches, challenges and recommendations were extracted and organised thematically.

resultsA total of 2,829 relevant documents were retrieved, and 81 articles met the inclusion criteria. The use of multiplex assays, allowing simultaneous testing for multiple antibodies from a single sample, and collecting multiple sample types (blood, urine, and stool) in one visit, can save time and reduce costs. Leveraging existing platforms, such as lymphatic filariasis Transmission Assessment Surveys, malaria surveys, and the standardised trachoma prevalence surveys, also enables substantial cost savings by optimising shared resources. Integrated surveys demonstrated notable cost-efficiency and operational feasibility. However, integration can be challenging due to methodological differences, lack of coordination, community resistance, and funding challenges. Key recommendations include strong stakeholder engagement, robust planning, leveraging of existing infrastructure, community involvement, methodological flexibility, and adoption of technologies such as rapid diagnostic tests and mobile tools to optimise data collection.

conclusionIntegrated NTD surveys, when strategically designed and contextually adapted, enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Future initiatives should focus on optimising survey integration, leveraging existing health infrastructure, and fostering cross-program collaboration.

Indexed as

Neglected DiseasesTropical MedicineHumansSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID41941535
PMCPMC13068340

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.