This blog was originally published by Sightsavers, and describes a study funded through COR-NTD (NTDSC #186D). This story has also been featured in Global Citizen.

In Massangam in the West region of Cameroon, nomadic communities regularly move around, living in different areas at different times of the year. This means they can miss out on mass drug administration (MDA) programmes to treat and prevent river blindness – a disease which if left untreated can cause irreversible blindness.

It’s essential these communities receive the medicine because their camps are usually set up near riverbanks, which puts them at higher risk of being bitten by the disease-carrying flies that breed near fast-flowing water.

But without knowing where nomadic communities are and how to reach them, dispensing treatment is a huge challenge. That’s why we’re working to identify, track and record where these nomadic communities are and take treatment directly to them.

We’re committed to using evidence to inform and improve our programmes. Recent research led by Sightsavers showed that an alternative treatment strategy was successful in reducing the transmission of river blindness in the Massangam area. However, our findings showed that fewer members of the nomadic community received treatment compared to the settled population.

Because nomadic communities often miss receiving treatment through MDA, it’s critical we find ways to ensure they are not left behind and receive equal treatment to settled populations. Nomadic communities could also be at risk of perpetuating the transmission of river blindness, impeding elimination efforts. This is because, if they are not treated, the flies that spread the disease become re-infected from this untreated group of people and bring the disease back to areas where treatment is happening successfully.

To address these challenges, we developed a tailored approach to better reach the nomadic population. This includes using nomadic guides and nomadic drug distributors, creating materials in the local language (Fulfulde), and using satellite imagery to find where nomadic camps are located.

Our research team in the UK uses special software to analyse images taken by satellites. This imagery enables our researchers to map areas where we work much more accurately than we have done before, which is critical when planning new work or conducting fieldwork. This is especially helpful in remote areas like Massangam where there aren’t established roads.

Combined with data collected in the field, the images can help identify where nomadic camps may be located. The team can plot these potential sites onto maps, as well as detailing streams, forests and other natural features.

Our research can’t take place unless the head of camp gives consent, which we obtain respecting cultural sensitivities. Once our translator explains what is involved, our field teams ask the head of camp to give their consent by allowing us to take their fingerprint. Once the camp head has approved, other members can follow.