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Latinoamericana de lnfectología Pediátrica.
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Infectología Pediátrica, A.C.
Órgano difusor de la Sociedad Española
de lnfectología

2025, Number 3

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Rev Latin Infect Pediatr 2025; 38 (3)

The WHO pathway to defeat meningococcal meningitis by 2030: a survey to assess knowledge and perceptions of pediatricians in Latin America

Debbag R, Coronell W, Villena R, Guzman-Holst A, Graña MG

Language: Spanish
References: 22
Page: 101-108
PDF size: 326.17 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is associated with high case fatality rates and can result in serious long-term sequelae for survivors. Incidence rates are highest in infants (<1 year of age), followed by young children (1-5 years), adolescents, and the elderly. The introduction of effective vaccination programs has resulted in a decline in the incidence of IMD. In 2020, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) presented its strategy to defeat meningitis by 2030. To assess awareness of the WHO strategy and current meningitis prevention measures among pediatricians from Latin America, we surveyed attendees of the 20th Latin American Congress of Pediatric Infectious Diseases held in San José, Costa Rica in 2023 (SLIPE 2023). The majority of surveyed pediatricians were unaware of the annual IMD cases in their country, and 47% were unaware of the WHO strategy. The majority of SLIPE 2023 attendees agreed that their country's surveillance systems are not robust enough to capture all IMD cases and that information in the medical community about IMD risk groups is insufficient. Most respondents agreed that prevention measures (in example, vaccination) have the greatest impact on achieving the roadmap targets. Based on the survey results and the current landscape of disease control, future initiatives should focus on improving dissemination of the WHO initiative and other clinical aspects of the disease to health professionals, creating a more unified and higher-quality disease surveillance system, and improving the characterization of high-risk groups and their access to immunization programs. These strategies will help guide the prevention and control of meningitis in Latin America.


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