Coverage and compliance of mass drug administration for elimination of lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas of Bidar district, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is caused by Wucheria brancrofti. The infection is endemic in more than 80 countries, with more than 1.3 billion people at risk and  120  mi llion already infected globally. Mass drug administration (MDA), for control of filariasis was launched by government of India in  1 996. Under this programme, all the beneficiaries in the age group of 2 to 60 years (excluding pregnant mothers, people above 60 and having other illness), will be administered.

Objectives: To assess the coverage and compliance of MDA in Bidar district.

Methodology: The MDA was carried out in the district in the month of January 2015. After visiting the selected  cluster  (3  rural  and  1  urban)  the  information was  collected  from  the  30  houses  in  each  cluster randomly.

Results: Out of 653 population surveyed , 592 (90.7%) had received the tablet and 61 (9.3%) had not received the tablet. Out of 592, 314(53%) had taken full course, 77(13%) had partially taken the drugs and 201 (34%) had not taken the tablets at all. 9(2.3%) had reported minor side effects like vomiting and dizziness. 3 (0.76%) people  reported gastro-enteritis and  abdominal discomfort, which subsided after  taking the  treatment. The compliance was only 53%, which is much below the target of 85%.

Conclusion: Effective drug delivery strategies such as proper area demarcation, repeat house visits have to be done to improve coverage. Involvement of elected representatives, religious leaders is very much essential to spread knowledge about the programme, co -operation in educating the reluctant families or individuals.