Document is current

Article History

Received: 28 March 2024

Accepted: 19 December 2024

First Online: 17 January 2025

Declarations

:

: The onchocerciasis elimination was part of the national neglected tropical disease elimination program, and this investigation was in response to community requests and conducted by the NNTDP of the Ministry of Health Sierra Leone. Prior to the surveys, permission was received from the traditional authorities and the Paramount Chief of the chiefdom. A community meeting was held, and oral informed consent/assent was obtained from village chiefs and adult participants themselves before they were examined, and samples collected. For children, permission was given from parents/guardians on behalf of each child before DBS samples were collected. All participants were eligible for inclusion without discrimination on gender, social status, religion, or ethnicity. Participation was entirely voluntary, and they could participate and/or withdraw at any time. The data were securely stored in the NTDP database and no identity of participants can be revealed upon publication of this paper.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.