Knowledge on lymphatic filariasis and the response to July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two communities in the Galle district

To ascertain the knowledge on filariasis and response to the July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two sample populations. Application of pre-tested questionnaire by direct interviews of individuals from randomly selected streets. Study areas were a coastal community in Unawatuna (population sample 3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Ceylon medical journal Vol. 48; no. 3; p. 74
Main Authors:	Yahathugoda, T C, Wickramasinghe, D, Liyanage, Tilaks S, Weerasooriya, Mirani V, Mudalige, Malka P, Waidyaratna, Eisha I, Samarawickrema, W A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Sri Lanka 01-09-2003
Subjects:	Animals Chi-Square Distribution Delivery of Health Care - methods Developing Countries Elephantiasis, Filarial - diagnosis Elephantiasis, Filarial - drug therapy Elephantiasis, Filarial - epidemiology Endemic Diseases Female Filaricides - therapeutic use Follow-Up Studies Health Education Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Male Patient Compliance Probability Risk Factors Rural Population Sampling Studies Sri Lanka - epidemiology Surveys and Questionnaires Treatment Outcome Sri Lanka
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Summary:	To ascertain the knowledge on filariasis and response to the July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two sample populations. Application of pre-tested questionnaire by direct interviews of individuals from randomly selected streets. Study areas were a coastal community in Unawatuna (population sample 381), and an inland community in Baddegama (population sample 236) in the Galle district. They were interviewed twice, 4 weeks before the mass drug administration (MDA) and 4 to 7 days after. The sample population of Unawatuna had a greater awareness of the clinical and parasitological features of the disease (p = 0.0003) and the drug treatment (p = 0.00380 than that of Baddegama. Only 5.5% of the combined sample attributed the cause of filariasis to a parasitic worm. However, over 70.0% of them knew that transmission was through mosquito bites. Volunteers formed 87.5% of the work force used for drug distribution in Unawatuna and 70.1% in Baddegama. The balance work force were Grama Niladaris and Public Health Midwives. Drugs were received by 76.9% of the Unawatuna sample compared with 89.0% at Baddegama (p < 0.001). Among those who received the drugs, consumption was 91.8% in Unawatuna and 96.2% in Baddegama. Taking the two communities together adverse effects were experienced by 22.9%. These effects in night time drug consumers (10.4%) were significantly less than in day time consumers (19.8%) (p < 0.005). The adverse effects were sleepiness (37.8%), malaise (28.2%), headache (16.8%), vomiting (5.1%), nausea (4.5%) and fever (3.9%). The message of mass treatment was carried to the community by the people themselves on the eve and on the day of drug distribution. Over 95% agreed that in future programs drugs should be delivered to their homes.
ISSN:	0009-0875
DOI:	10.4038/cmj.v48i3.3343