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


OBJECTIVE
What has been the coverage and compliance of MDA in Gujarat during the campaign in December 2006?


METHODS
Cross-sectional population based house-to-house visit.


METHODS
Urban and rural areas in Gujarat identified as endemic for filariasis where MDA 2006 was undertaken.


METHODS
Exploratory - Rural and urban districts; Outcome - coverage, compliance, actual coverage, side effects.


METHODS
Percentage and proportions.


RESULTS
Twenty-six clusters, each comprising 32 households from six endemic districts, yielded an eligible population of 4164. The coverage rate was 85.2% with variation across different areas. The compliance with drug ingestion was 89% with a gap of 11% to be targeted by intensive IEC. The effective coverage (75.8%) was much below the target (85%). 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.
Kumar
Pradeep
P
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Surat - 395 001, India.
Prajapati
Pb
P
Saxena
Deepak
D
Kavishwar
Abhay B
AB
Kurian
George
G