Lymphatic Filariasis: Epidemiological Analysis of the Situation in Salyantar VDC of Dhading District, Nepal

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis, also known as bancroftian filariasis or elephantiasis is a mosquito borne disease which refers to the human filarial infection with the nematode parasite,Wuchereria bancrofti. Filariasis has its global distribution.It is endemic in different regions of Nepal. The present study was conducted from October 2005 to September 2006 and the study area was Salyantar VDC of Dhading district, site selected on the basis of elephantiasis situation and as recommended by District Health Office. A total of 516 night blood samples were collected from the earlobe of respondents. The community people were informed about the study through mass orientation program and the information of participating respondents were collected by filling up the questionnaire. Microscopical observation revealed 117 microfilarial positive cases out of 516 respondents i.e. 22.67%.The highest distribution of filariasis was found in the age group >70 years (36.36%) while the least was found in the age group ≤10 years (12.37%). Regarding sex wise distribution, males(24.54%) were found to be more infected than females(21.28%)in the ratio of 1.2:1. The youngest person to be infected was a4 years old boy and the oldest was an 85 years old man. Crude disease rate was reported to be 22.09% and total endemicity rate was 44.76%. The determinant factors for the prevalence of disease were illiteracy, lack of awareness about the disease, poor sanitation,careless of using nets, and carelessness about their health. Lymphatic filariasisis not much known to people. Thus people should be made familiar to thisdisease by organizing awareness programs, through mass media, radio,television etc. that will help to prevent the spread of disease and people will bealert of improving health, get prevented from the bite of mosquito, get regular health check up and treatment if MF is seen in blood. Also vector control measures should be applied side by side for the elimination of filariasis