Exploring effectiveness of mass drug administration program against lymphatic filariasis in Raichur district, Karnataka

CONTEXT: Lymphatic filariasis is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected tropical diseases known to humankind. In India, around 630 million people are at risk of lymphatic filariasis. Mass drug administration (MDA) program against lymphatic filariasis is a strategy adopted by the Government of India to eliminate this scourge by breaking the chain of transmission of disease. AIMS: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of MDA program. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted across four clusters (three rural and one urban) spread over three endemic talukas of Raichur district, Karnataka, in October 2018. METHODS: Multistage random sampling was used to select the clusters. Sixty houses in each of the selected clusters were surveyed. Information on coverage, compliance, directly observed treatment, reasons for non-consumption, source of information on MDA and adverse drug reactions were collected using pretested structured pro-forma by interview technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistical measures such as percentages, mean, and standard deviation were applied. Inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square test and Z-test were applied. RESULTS: Among the 240 households visited, a total of 1222 persons were identified as beneficiaries for MDA program. Among the beneficiaries, 617 (50.5%) were male and 605 (49.5%) were female. About 25.12% of the beneficiaries were under 15 years of age. Only 1147 (93.9%) of the total eligible beneficiaries had received diethylcarbamazine and albendazole tablets as part of the MDA program. The compliance rate was 87.2%. The coverage and compliance rates were significantly higher in rural areas compared to urban area. CONCLUSIONS: Raichur district has attained a higher level of coverage and compliance for MDA, but the difference in these indicators between rural and urban areas is a disturbing phenomenon, which has to be addressed through intensive behavior change communication strategy.