Knowledge on lymphatic filariasis and the response to July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two communities in the Galle district.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the knowledge on filariasis and response to the July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two sample populations.


METHODS
Application of pre-tested questionnaire by direct interviews of individuals from randomly selected streets.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.
Yahathugoda
T C
TC
Department of Parasitology, University of Ruhuna. yahath@paras.ruh.ac.lk
Wickramasinghe
D
D
Liyanage
Tilaks S
TS
Weerasooriya
Mirani V
MV
Mudalige
Malka P
MP
Waidyaratna
Eisha I
EI
Samarawickrema
W A
WA
D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D003906:Developing Countries; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011336:Probability; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005369:Filaricides