Bancroftian filariasis in Kwale district, Kenya.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in an area designated for filariasis control trial.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Three villages in Kinango location, Kwale district, Coast Province, Kenya.

SUBJECTS/

PARTICIPANTS

Oral informed consent to participate was obtained from adults and parents or guardians of children below fifteen years of age.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Microfilaraemia prevalences, microfilarial densities and clinical manifestations.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of microfilaraemia in the population was 16.4%. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was age-dependent and the overall microfilarial density (MFD) was 69.4 mf/ml (geometric mean) and significantly higher in males (95.8 mf/ml) than in females (48.6 mf/ml) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of clinical signs of infection was also age-dependent with elephantiasis being significantly higher in females (2.3%) than in males (0.9%) (p < 0.05). Among the males, the major clinical manifestation was hydrocele (10.4%).

CONCLUSION

These findings show high prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in Kwale district and warrant similar studies followed by implementation of intervention measures to reduce transmission in all areas of endemicity in the Coast Province.