Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding lymphatic filariasis: study on systematic noncompliance with mass drug administration

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, antigenic profile, perceptions, attitudes and practices of individuals who have been systematically non-compliant in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns targeting lymphatic filariasis, in the municipality of Olinda, State of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioenvironmental demographics, perceptions of lymphatic filariasis and MDA, and reasons for systematic noncompliance with treatment. A rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) was performed during the survey to screen for filariasis. It was found that the survey subjects knew about filariasis and MDA. Filariasis was identified as a disease (86.2%) and 74.4% associated it with the presence of swelling in the legs. About 80% knew about MDA, and the main source of information was healthcare workers (68.3%). For men the main reasons for systematic noncompliance with MDA were that “the individual had not received the medication” (p=0.03) and for women “the individual either feared experiencing adverse reactions”. According to the ICT, the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis was 2%. The most important causes of systematic noncompliance were not receiving the drug and fear of side-effects. For successful implementation of MDA programs, good planning, educational campaigns promoting the benefits of MDA, adoption of measures to minimize the impact of adverse effects and improvement of drug distribution logistics are needed.

ONGs nordestinas: transformaçäo e permanência / Non Governmental Organizatios (NGOs) of Brazil, Northeast: transformation and permanence

Traz os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada em 1995 pelo Projeto DEMO - Desenvolvimento Institucional e Metodologias de Trabalho em ONGs no Nordeste - que contou com a participaçäo de 100 ONGs nordestinas. Faz um diagnóstico sobre as transformaçöes em curso no perfil das ONGs do Nordeste. Se fundamenta em dois processos distintos e articulados: a) a contextualizaçäo do campo de intervençäo das entidades, considerando as transformaçöes que vêm ocorrendo entre os principais atores com os quais elas se relacionam; b) a identificaçäo, a análise e a sistematizaçäo das diferentes formas de organizaçäo, gestäo e intervençäo, que vêm sendo assumidas por essas entidades.