Evaluation of mass drug administration programme in Gajapati District, Odisha

Abstract

Background: India contributes to 40% of the total global burden of filariasis. Odisha is one of the endemic states in India. Mass drug administration (MDA) of single dose of antifilarial drugs (DEC & Albendazole) for 5 years or more to the eligible is required to interrupt transmission of the disease. The objective was to estimate the coverage of MDA in the households of Gajapati district and to assess the proportion of population who had consumed the drugs. Methods: Multi stage sampling method was adopted for post MDA assessment in the district. Total of 476 household in 16 villages of four blocks taken out of seven irrespective of rural or urban status. Gajapati were surveyed. Results: Total 476 households were surveyed. The household wise MDA distribution coverage in the district was found to be 87.78% with 1096 (88.15%) of males and 1003 (87.41%) of females have taken the drugs. About 62.93% study population were aware that MDA campaign is done to prevent filaria and 76.47% knew that two types of drug distributed under MDA campaign. The major source of drugs distribution in the district are Angan Wadi Worker (69.76%) and ASHA (27.82%). Conclusion: The necessity for high distribution coverage, high consumption rate and high compliance for the MDA, which is essential for lymphatic filariasis elimination, should be well understood by grass root level workers and the members of the community. Parents need to be motivated to ensure consumption of the antifilarial drugs by their children. Involving school teachers can also improve the consumption among young children.