Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi is an important public health problem in India. Annual rounds of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole are used to control filariasis. This study was conducted to assess the MDA programme in terms of actual coverage and compliance rates in the Pudukkottai district as well as to identify reasons for non compliance.

A cross-sectional population based house-to-house survey was conducted during 2012 after two weeks of the MDA round in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. Four clusters-three villages and one urban ward were selected. The streets from the selected clusters were enumerated. Of this one street was randomly selected using lottery method. From each of the houses, data was collected from an adult, or, from a child older than 15 years, if an adult was absent. The data was collected using a standard format which includes socio demographic details, details of drug distribution, details of drug consumption, source of information about the MDA programme etc.

583 members from 122 families were included from three rural and one urban area. The coverage rate was 85.2%, of whom 230 (46.4%) were males and 266 (53.6%) were females. The compliance rate with drug consumption was 86.7% and the coverage compliance gap was found to be 13.3%. The coverage of drug distribution in the urban area was 139 (92.1%). It was significantly high compared to rural areas (82.8%) (p value = 0.006). Fear of side effects was found to be the most common reason for not consuming the tablets.

In our study both coverage and compliance rate was found to be higher than the target of 85%. Coverage of drug distribution was found to be higher among urban population. Measures need to be taken to improve the coverage rate in the rural area.