Acceptance of Mass Drug Administration for Prophylaxis against Lymphatic Filariasis in a Tribal Endemic Area: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Background: India is at a critical stage to eliminate filariasis. Uncovering the factors governing may help taking appropriate measures to achieve the goal. Objectives: This study evaluated the acceptance of “mass drug administration” (MDA) for prophylaxis against filariasis and the factors facilita...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijph.ijph_312_23 |
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| Summary: | Background:
India is at a critical stage to eliminate filariasis. Uncovering the factors governing may help taking appropriate measures to achieve the goal.
Objectives:
This study evaluated the acceptance of “mass drug administration” (MDA) for prophylaxis against filariasis and the factors facilitating and interfering with it.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tribal endemic area of India from May 2022 to October 2022. A validated 29-item self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Items were grouped under “knowledge,” “social processes,” “think and feel,” “practical factors,” and “motivation/hesitancy” domains.
Results:
Of 101 participants, majority were aware of the disease (92.1%), its vector (74.3%), at least one disability caused (87.2%), and governmental scheme of MDA (69.3%). Two-thirds never received and 85.1% did not receive MDA within 1 year. 68.3% refused of distribution of MDA to their doorstep. Majority were concerned for getting MDA for self and their family/friends; however, 49.5% showed inability to take independent decision. More than 30% disagreed to get MDA had it been available. The region with the highest concerns for adverse drug effects showed minimum MDA consumption than others (P < 0.05). MDA acceptance/consumption was significantly associated with knowledge about disability caused, distribution of drugs by a health-care representative to doorstep, behavior of the representative, and concerns about potential adverse drug effects.
Conclusion:
MDA coverage was inadequate in the study population. Level of knowledge, practical difficulties in getting drugs, inapt thinking/concerns, motivation, awareness about disabilities caused, door-to-door drug distribution, and behavior of health-care representative(s), were identified as factors significantly affecting acceptance of MDA. |
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| ISSN: | 0019-557X 2229-7693 |