An evaluation of coverage and compliance of mass drug administration 2006 for elimination of lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas of Gujarat

• Main Authors: Kumar Pradeep, Prajapati P, Saxena Deepak, Kavishwar Abhay, Kurian George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2008-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Community Medicine
• Subjects: Lymphatic filariasis; mass drug administration
• Online Access: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2008;volume=33;issue=1;spage=38;epage=42;aulast=Kumar

<b>Background:</b> Mass drug administration (MDA) means once-in-a-year administration of diethyl carbamazine (DEC) tablet to all people (excluding children under 2 years, pregnant women and severely ill persons) in identified endemic areas. It aims at cessation of transmission of lymphatic filariasis. <b> Objective:</b> What has been the coverage and compliance of MDA in Gujarat during the campaign in December 2006? <b> Study Design:</b> Cross-sectional population based house-to-house visit. <b> Setting:</b> Urban and rural areas in Gujarat identified as endemic for filariasis where MDA 2006 was undertaken. <b> Study Variables:</b> <i> Exploratory</i> - Rural and urban districts; <i> Outcome</i> - coverage, compliance, actual coverage, side effects. <b> Analysis:</b> Percentage and proportions. <b> Results:</b> Twenty-six clusters, each comprising 32 households from six endemic districts, yielded an eligible population of 4164. The coverage rate was 85.2&#x0025; with variation across different areas. The compliance with drug ingestion was 89&#x0025; with a gap of 11&#x0025; to be targeted by intensive IEC. The effective coverage (75.8&#x0025;) was much below the target (85&#x0025;). Side effects of DEC were minimum, transient and drug-specific. Overall coverage was marginally better in rural areas. The causes of poor coverage and compliance have been discussed and relevant suggestions have been made.