Knowledge and practice related to compliance with mass drug administration during the Egyptian national filariasis elimination program

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Aug;89(2):260-4. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0491. Epub 2013 Jun 10.

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been targeted for global elimination by 2020. The primary tool for the program is mass drug administration (MDA) with antifilarial medications to reduce the source of microfilariae required for mosquito transmission of the parasite. This strategy requires high MDA compliance rates. Egypt initiated a national filariasis elimination program in 2000 that targeted approximately 2.7 million persons in 181 disease-endemic localities. This study assessed factors associated with MDA compliance in year three of the Egyptian LF elimination program. 2,859 subjects were interviewed in six villages. The surveyed compliance rate for MDA in these villages was 85.3% (95% confidence interval = 83.9-86.5%). Compliance with MDA was positively associated with LF knowledge scores, male sex, and older age. Adverse events reported by 18.4% of participants were mild and more common in females. This study has provided new information on factors associated with MDA compliance during Egypt's successful LF elimination program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage
  • Albendazole / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Diethylcarbamazine / administration & dosage
  • Diethylcarbamazine / therapeutic use*
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / drug therapy*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / epidemiology
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / prevention & control
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / psychology
  • Female
  • Filaricides / administration & dosage
  • Filaricides / therapeutic use*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Insecticide-Treated Bednets
  • Insecticides
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mosquito Control / methods
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wuchereria bancrofti*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Filaricides
  • Insecticides
  • Albendazole
  • Diethylcarbamazine