Publication:

Coverage and compliance of mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis in Kalaburgi district

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. Filariasis has been a major public health problem in India next only to malaria. Study was done to assess coverage and compliance of mass drug administration (MDA) against lymphatic filariasis in Kalaburgi districts.

Methods This cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey was done in one urban and three rural clusters in district.The data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using proportions.

Results A total of 791 subjects were interviewed, male subjects constituted about 47.7%. Majority of the subjects were in the age group of 16-60 years (69.9%), while only 3.2% were in <2years. 82.9% persons have received the drugs.  Out of the 530 persons who have received the drugs, 86.9% persons have consumed the drugs. Only 59.9% of study subjects consumed tablets in front of health workers. A total of 69 subjects have not consumed tablets, 20.3% said told fear of side reaction, and 20.3% subjects said they don’t have faith in tablet. Only 11 persons suffered from vomiting and nausea.

Conclusions There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies and also proper IEC should be done to educate and to improve the coverage and compliance in the districts.