Choice & integration of different approaches to case detection with special reference to brugian filariasis in south India.

Treatment following rapid case detection in population, particularly the target age classes, which record high prevalence, is necessary for effective control of lymphatic filariasis. Conventional door-to-door surveys resulted in delay in detection of parasite carriers and patients with clinical filariasis, particularly in rural areas. An integration with other approaches like school surveys, health camps, filariasis clinics and microfilaria detection camps (MDC) was found effective in covering a much larger population in brugian filariasis case detection in an endemic area in south India. The MDCs organized through Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS MDC) yielded a good coverage of pre-school children. School surveys were ideal in covering children en masse. Community MDCs and health camps arranged with active community participation were useful in covering adolescents and young adults in large numbers. The filariasis clinic was effective in screening older adults above 30 yr. The relative efficiency of these approaches in terms of time and manpower utilization has been discussed.