Factors associated with participation in a campaign of mass treatment against lymphatic filariasis, in Leogane, Haiti.
In October 2000, to interrupt transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti, an intense health-education campaign followed by a mass drug administration (MDA) with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole was undertaken in Leogane, Haiti. Three months after the MDA, which was the first in the study area, a knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) survey, with a cluster-sample design and probability sampling, was undertaken, to determine the existing knowledge of the local residents, their attitudes toward the MDA, and the possible reasons for non-compliance. Questionnaire-based interviews were used to explore the KAP of 304 subjects (one randomly chosen resident aged > 14 years from each selected household) in 33 communities. Most (93%) of the interviewees were aware of filariasis and 72% knew at least one clinical sign of the disease. Awareness of the MDA was high (91%). The most frequently mentioned sources of information were other people (56%) and radio announcements (33%). More than 80% of the respondents encouraged other people to take the drugs distributed in the MDA and 63% had been treated. The primary reasons given for failing to take the drugs were absenteeism during the distribution (17%), use of contraceptive drugs (12%) and pregnancy (11%). In a multivariate analysis, being male [odds ratio (OR) = 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5-7.4], knowing that a mosquito transmits the disease (OR = 2.6; CI = 1.2-5.4), and having learned about the MDA through posters and banners (OR = 2.9; CI = 1.2-7.5) were found to be positively associated with taking the drugs. Information from such post-treatment surveys should be useful in developing better health communication for subsequent MDA.
Mathieu
E
E
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. emm7@cdc.gov
Lammie
P J
PJ
Radday
J
J
Beach
M J
MJ
Streit
T
T
Wendt
J
J
Addiss
D G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006205:Haiti; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016312:Treatment Refusal
D005369:Filaricides