A Prospective Study of Lymphatic Filariasis in an Endemic Village of Kapilbastu District, Nepal.

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in Nepal. It has been known to be endemic in Nepal since a long time and its identification as pathogenic parasite continues to be found throughout the world. It impedes socioeconomic development in many endemic areas of Nepal. It is a disease of poverty, affecting the poorest of the poor. A total of 505 blood samples were collected during the study period between November 2005 to October 2006 from the Maharajganj VDC of Kapilbastu district. The methodology used for the survey was night blood sample collection. Out of 505 blood samples 50 samples (9.90%) were found to be positive for mf with age ranged between 3 to 85 years. In the present study the highest endemicity rate was found in the age group (61-70) years i.e. 26.67%, and the lowest endemicity rate 6.67% was found in the age group ≤ 10 years. According to age-wise prevalence of filariasis, it was found that the endemicity rate of filariasis gradually increased with the increase in age and hence there was significant difference of infection in different age-groups (χ2 =10.97, P>0.05, df=15). Regarding the sex-wise prevalence, it was found that the endemicity rate was higher in males (12.64%) than the females (10.59%). According to the sex-wise prevalence of filariasis, it was found that there was significant difference of infection in both sexes (χ2 =0.51, P>0.05, df=3). From the study, it was concluded that the prevalence of disease was due to illiteracy, dirty environmental status of the household, lack of knowledge about the disease and not taking precaution of filariasis. Thus, people need to be well-known with this disease. For this awareness programmes through mass media, radio and television must be expanded for protecting vector borne disease lymphatic filariasis. Different programmes should be launched to improve health and hygiene of the people. The risk of infection can be reduced by taking measures to prevent mosquito bites or reduce mosquito numbers.