03659nas a2200325   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002500086653005100111653002200162653001500184653001400199653001300213100001300226700001700239700001300256700001500269700001500284700001200299700001300311700001300324700001300337700001700350245011800367856007300485300000900558490000700567520274500574022001403319       2024                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aLymphatic filariasis10aMorbidity management and disability prevention10aMorbidity mapping10aLymphedema10aHydrocele10aEthiopia1 aBisrat H1 aHailekiros F1 aMitiku M1 aMengiste A1 aMekonnon M1 aSeife F1 aOljira B1 aTerefe H1 aBekele T1 aManyazewal T00aMapping lymphatic filariasis morbidities in 24 endemic districts of Ethiopia through the health extension program  uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s41182-024-00657-6.pdf  a1-100 v523 a<p><strong>Background: </strong>The primary strategy for achieving the second goal of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) is morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP), aimed at alleviating the suffering of affected populations. A significant challenge in many LF-endemic areas is the effective registration and identification of individuals with LF, which is crucial for planning and ensuring access to MMDP services. This study seeks to map the geographical distribution of LF-related morbidities across 24 endemic districts in Ethiopia.</p>

<p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to identify individuals affected by LF in 24 endemic districts using primary health care units (PHCUs). The study involved 946 trained health extension workers (HEWs) conducting house-to-house visits to identify and register cases of lymphedema and hydrocele, with support from 77 trained supervisors and 87 team leaders coordinating the morbidity mapping. Certified surgeons performed confirmatory evaluations through clinical assessments on a randomly selected sample of cases to validate HEW diagnoses, ensuring accurate identification of lymphedema and hydrocele. Statistical analysis of the data, including the severity of lymphedema and acute attacks, was conducted using STATA 17.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> This study involved 300,000 households with nearly 1.2 million individuals, leading to the identification of 15,527 LF cases—14,946 (96.3%) with limb lymphedema and 581 (3.7%) with hydrocele. Among those with lymphedema, 8396 (54.1%) were women. Additionally, 13,731 (88.4%) patients resided in rural areas. Of the 14,591 cases whose acute attack information was recorded, 10,710 (73.4%) reported experiencing at least one acute attack related to their lymphedema in the past 6&nbsp;months, with a notable percentage of males (74.5%; n = 4981/6686). Among the 12,680 recorded cases of leg lymphedema, the percentage of acute attacks increased with severity: 64% (n = 5618) mild cases, 68% (n = 5169) moderate cases and 70% (n = 1893) severe cases.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This study successfully mapped the geographical distribution of LF morbidities across 24 LF-endemic districts in Ethiopia, identifying a substantial number of lymphedema and hydrocele cases, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access is limited. The findings underscore the potential of Ethiopia’s health extension program to identify affected individuals and ensure they receive necessary care. The findings inform targeted interventions and access to MMDP services, contributing to Ethiopia’s goal of eliminating LF by 2027.</p>
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