03179nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653003000081653002000111653001600131653001300147653003500160653002100195653001900216653002100235100001300256700001500269700001600284245017700300856008900477300000800566490000700574520231800581022001402899       2018                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aLymphatic filariasis (LF)10aDisease control10aPerceptions10aTanzania10amass drug administration (MDA)10aHealth Education10aMisconceptions10aLocal perception1 aDerua YA1 aKisinza WN1 aSimonsen PE00aLymphatic filariasis control in Tanzania: infection, disease perceptions and drug uptake patterns in an endemic community after multiple rounds of mass drug administration.  uhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6053786/pdf/13071_2018_Article_2999.pdf  a4290 v113 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Lymphatic filariasis (LF) control in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa is based on annual mass drug administration (MDA) with a combination of ivermectin and albendazole, in order to interrupt transmission. However, attaining and maintaining high treatment coverage has been a challenge in many LF control programmes. This study was designed to elucidate reasons for continued transmission of LF in an endemic area of Tanga, northeastern Tanzania, where control activities based on MDA had been in place for eight years by the time of this study in 2012.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in three sentinel villages used for monitoring the impact of MDA on LF transmission. A total of 747 individuals were interviewed, out of which 172 (23.0%), 27 (3.6%) and 49 (6.5%) had been shown to have circulating filarial antigens (CFA), microfilaraemia (MF) and LF gross lesions, respectively, prior to the interviews.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The interviewed population had a mean age of 33.7 years and a male to female ratio of 0.8. Males, individuals aged 30 years and above, peasants/fishermen and recent immigrants to the study communities were significantly more affected (CFA, MF and/ or LF gross lesions) than the other population groups. However, drug uptake rates were not significantly different between LF affected (those with CFA, MF and/ or LF gross lesions) and non-affected individuals. Likewise, drug uptake rates were not significantly different across different demographic parameters of the study population, some of which differed significantly in the level of infection. Moreover, it was found that misconceptions on how LF can be acquired were still evident, linking its transmission to witchcraft, heredity and sexual behaviour.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The findings indicated that misconceptions about LF and its transmission still existed despite eight years of control activities in the area. Improved communication on the rationale of MDA and an enhanced drug delivery strategy that is adapted to the local settings and targeting important demographic groups that serve as reservoir of infection will help in reaching the elimination target within a reasonable timeframe.</p>
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