Assessing Coverage of Mass Drug Administration against Lymphatic Filariasis in Gulbarga District, Karnataka

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is an important public health problem in India not only due to morbid condition but also due to social stigma, sexual incapacitation and considerable economic loss. The Government of India in 2004 began a nationwide mass drug administration (MDA) campaign in all the known Lymphatic filariasis endemic districts with an annual single dose of Diethylcarbamazine citrate with the aim of eliminating it as a public health problem by the year 2015. Inspite of implementing MDA annually for over 5 years yet uncertainty prevails about the coverage and compliance to treatment in order to achieve elimination. Methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the coverage and compliance to MDA and to assess the reasons for non-coverage and non-compliance. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of February 2011 for five days independently for the Government of India. A total of 1006 persons were interviewed from three villages and one urban ward. 54.28% were females and 45.72% were males. The coverage rate for DEC plus albendazole tablets were 82.97% and DEC only was 19 (1.96%). The compliance rate for DEC was 73.99%. Failure to drug deliver was reported by 61% of the eligible population and only 9 (1.23%) had side-effects. Results: The results suggests for an urgent need for revitalizing the program and to develop more effective drug delivery strategies.