Acceptance of Mass Drug Administration for Prophylaxis against Lymphatic Filariasis in a Tribal Endemic Area: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

India is at a critical stage to eliminate filariasis. Uncovering the factors governing may help taking appropriate measures to achieve the goal.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the acceptance of "mass drug administration" (MDA) for prophylaxis against filariasis and the factors facilitating and interfering with it.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tribal endemic area of India from May 2022 to October 2022. A validated 29-item self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Items were grouped under "knowledge," "social processes," "think and feel," "practical factors," and "motivation/hesitancy" domains.

RESULTS

Of 101 participants, majority were aware of the disease (92.1%), its vector (74.3%), at least one disability caused (87.2%), and governmental scheme of MDA (69.3%). Two-thirds never received and 85.1% did not receive MDA within 1 year. 68.3% refused of distribution of MDA to their doorstep. Majority were concerned for getting MDA for self and their family/friends; however, 49.5% showed inability to take independent decision. More than 30% disagreed to get MDA had it been available. The region with the highest concerns for adverse drug effects showed minimum MDA consumption than others (P < 0.05). MDA acceptance/consumption was significantly associated with knowledge about disability caused, distribution of drugs by a health-care representative to doorstep, behavior of the representative, and concerns about potential adverse drug effects.

CONCLUSION

MDA coverage was inadequate in the study population. Level of knowledge, practical difficulties in getting drugs, inapt thinking/concerns, motivation, awareness about disabilities caused, door-to-door drug distribution, and behavior of health-care representative(s), were identified as factors significantly affecting acceptance of MDA.