Model evaluation of novel diagnostics for the endgame for soil-transmitted helminths

The overall goal of this project is to produce a model-based approach to support the design of diagnostic target product profiles (TPP) for management of soil transmitted helminths (STH). The aim of the modelling is to provide a framework that elucidates the potentially complex relationships between MDA outcomes (control and elimination), diagnostic performance and economic costs. This will inform diagnostic TPP in terms of both economic cost and epidemiological performance, providing a rationale for how these two elements can be traded-off.

This project focuses on two use cases within the latter stages of mass drug administration (MDA) programmes - stopping decisions and confirmation of elimination. This preliminary study uses existing parasitological survey data from the TUMIKIA project in Kenya to provide a proof of principal, while also connecting with diagnostics developers to ensure that the framework fulfils requirements.