Rural and Urban Differences in MDA Coverage for Filariasis in Jharsuguda District of Odisha

Abstract

Background: Filariasis is the common term for a group of diseases caused by parasitic nematodes belonging to super family Filarioidea. Filariasis caused by nematodes that live in the human lymph system is called Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). The infection is prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Objectives: 1) To assess the coverage of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for Filariasis (2) To find out the rural and urban difference of MDA coverage Methods: The study was undertaken as a Post MDA survey with prospective data collection in district of Jharsuguda. The information was collected using a questionnaire developed and based on NVBDCP guidelines. Two rural blocks and two wards of urban area surveyed during February 2016 were selected for this study. Results: The coverage of MDA in rural area found to be more than urban area. The most common reason for not taking drug in rural area was beneficiary absent at home during drug distribution, where as in urban area the reason was no information about MDA. The percentage of population consuming drugs during MDA was more in rural area than urban area.