Clinical Manifestations of Lymphatic Filariasis and Practice of Vector Control Measures after 15 Years of Mass Drug Administration: A Rapid Epidemiological Study from Odisha.

BACKGROUND

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a neglected tropical disease, is one of the main cause of lifelong disability worldwide. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of clinical manifestations of LF, the rural population's practise of vector control methods, and their compliance with mass drug administration (MDA) and its obstacles.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1226 individuals from three villages under Andharua subcenter, Odisha. The data were collected by a systematic random sampling method using a structured questionnaire, check list, physical examination, and filariasis test strip.

RESULTS

Of the 1226 participants, 54.2% were female and 67.6% belonged to the 15-59 age range. Fifty-seven individuals (4.7%) exhibit clinical signs of LF. Among them, leg lymphoedema (3.3%), hand lymphedema (0.7%), elephantiasis (0.7%), and hydrocele (0.6%) were noted, and two exhibited circulating filarial antigen positive. 40.4% have Grade I, and 10.5% have Grade IV lymphoedema. 46.1% of study participants had taken the medications during MDA. The disease was associated with factors such as belonging to the below poverty line group (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.12-3.445), working in agriculture (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.2-4.27), and having a low vector control practise score (OR = 7.03, 95% CI = 1.09-187.7). The majority of individuals with the disease's clinical manifestations reported experiencing social stigma at work (Relative Important Index, RII: 0.53), which was followed by issues when attending social activities (RII: 0.43).

CONCLUSION

The research indicates that the disease is more common in the study locations, which calls for stricter control measures and to promote MDA programme compliance.