Knowledge on lymphatic filariasis and the response to July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two communities in the Galle district.
Ceylon Med J
;
2003 Sep; 48(3): 74-7
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-47253
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To ascertain the knowledge on filariasis and response to the July 2002 mass treatment campaign in two sample populations.DESIGN:
Application of pre-tested questionnaire by direct interviews of individuals from randomly selected streets.METHODS:
Study areas were a coastal community in Unawatuna (population sample 381), and an inland community in Baddegama (population sample 236) in the Galle district. They were interviewed twice, 4 weeks before the mass drug administration (MDA) and 4 to 7 days after.RESULTS:
The sample population of Unawatuna had a greater awareness of the clinical and parasitological features of the disease (p = 0.0003) and the drug treatment (p = 0.00380 than that of Baddegama. Only 5.5% of the combined sample attributed the cause of filariasis to a parasitic worm. However, over 70.0% of them knew that transmission was through mosquito bites. Volunteers formed 87.5% of the work force used for drug distribution in Unawatuna and 70.1% in Baddegama. The balance work force were Grama Niladaris and Public Health Midwives. Drugs were received by 76.9% of the Unawatuna sample compared with 89.0% at Baddegama (p < 0.001). Among those who received the drugs, consumption was 91.8% in Unawatuna and 96.2% in Baddegama. Taking the two communities together adverse effects were experienced by 22.9%. These effects in night time drug consumers (10.4%) were significantly less than in day time consumers (19.8%) (p < 0.005). The adverse effects were sleepiness (37.8%), malaise (28.2%), headache (16.8%), vomiting (5.1%), nausea (4.5%) and fever (3.9%). The message of mass treatment was carried to the community by the people themselves on the eve and on the day of drug distribution. Over 95% agreed that in future programs drugs should be delivered to their homes.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Rural Population
/
Sri Lanka
/
Elephantiasis, Filarial
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Chi-Square Distribution
/
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
/
Health Education
/
Probability
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Ceylon Med J
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
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