title: Elimination of lymphatic filariasis: mass drug administration in endemic areas of (bidar district) karnataka-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphatic Filariasis is a mosquito transmitted disease, caused by parasitic worm Wuchereria bancrofti. Global Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis was established in early 2000. The strategy recommended by the World Health Organization is annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of single-dose of Diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg (DEC), distributed to inhabitants of Filariasis endemic areas, excluding children below 2 years of age, pregnant women, and seriously ill persons, and Morbidity Management. The health system distributes the drugs by a door-to-door strategy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the coverage and compliance of MDA in Bidar district during the campaign in November 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional population-based house-to-house visit. Outcome is assessed as actual coverage and compliance, in Percentage and proportions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight clusters, total eligible population of 1 131 individuals were interviewed. The coverage rate was 78% with variation across different areas. The compliance with drug ingestion was 68%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effective coverage was below the target (85%). Side effects of DEC were minimum, the overall coverage was better in rural areas compared with urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ts
authors.initials: Ts
authors.lastname: Ranganath
authors.forename: N Ramakrishna
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reddy
keywords: Coverage; DEC; lymphatic filariasis; mass drug administration