Mass drug administration coverage evaluation survey for lymphatic filariasis in bagalkot and gulbarga districts.
BACKGROUND
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. In view with the global elimination, mass drug administration (MDA) with single dose of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole tablets was carried out for the eligible population in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts.


OBJECTIVE
Assess coverage of MDA against LF in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey, one urban and three rural clusters were selected randomly in each district. The data were collected in a pretested performa, computed and analyzed using SPSS-10 to calculate frequencies and proportions.


RESULTS
A total of eight clusters in two districts resulted in a total study population of 1,228 individuals. The overall compliance rate in Bagalkot district was 78.6% and in Gulbarga district it was only 38.8%. The prime reason for noncompliance was fear of side effects and not received tablets.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies to improve the compliance in both the districts.
Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
Prakash Kurubarahalli
PK
Patel