01622nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001653001000042653003900052653002500091653002800116100001100144700002600155700001200181700001300193245009100206856017100297300001100468490001600479520089500495022001401390       2011                            d10aSamoa10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aLymphatic filariasis10aCommunity participation1 aKing J1 aZielinski-Gutierrez E1 aPa'au M1 aLammie P00aImproving community participation to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa.  uhttp://ac.els-cdn.com/S0001706X1000241X/1-s2.0-S0001706X1000241X-main.pdf?_tid=d8e338de-69e4-11e6-b3f2-00000aab0f26&acdnat=1472034409_d6e2115e9ad565bcd3fef674f5afa49c  aS48-540 v120 Suppl 13 a<p>In 2000, the American Samoa Department of Health initiated a campaign of annual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) to eliminate transmission of filariasis. Drug coverage was well below prescribed targets in the first three campaigns, ranging from 24 to 52% of the total population. Evaluation findings from a variety of formative research methods identified opportunities to improve MDA coverage and ensuing program modifications resulted in increased drug coverage of 65-71% in the following four annual distributions. Partnering with churches for drug distribution and using multiple media channels for health promotion led to sustained program improvements. With the increased emphasis on the use of mass distribution for delivery of drugs for a number of neglected tropical diseases, other programs may benefit from a similar approach.</p>
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