EVALUATION OF MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION (MDA) ACTIVITIES FOR ELIMINATION OF LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS IN TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL DISTRICTS OF CHHATTISGARH STATE, CENTRAL INDIA

Background: Since the year 2004, mass drug administration (MDA) is opted as one of the successful strategies to eliminate lymphatic
filariasis in endemic areas of India. MDA as a preventive measure will be effective only with satisfactory compliance of the medicines
which would be a reflection of committed participation of medicine providers, proper IEC and active participation of beneficiaries. A
midterm evaluation was conducted with the objectives to review the progress of MDA activities to recommend mid-term amendments.
Material and Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one tribal district (Jashpur) and another non tribal district
(Bilaspur) of the Chhattisgarh state. One urban and three rural clusters were selected from each of the district. 174 and 150 households
were surveyed from Jashpur and Bilaspur district respectively, where the mass drug administration programme was conducted during
the year 2012 to assess the coverage of MDA, its compliance, role of community volunteers, and IEC activities done.
Results: 70.26% respondents in the non tribal District and 41.58% respondents in Tribal district were covered under MDA
programme. The Drugs compliance was 63.0% and 35.92% in non-tribal and tribal district respectively. However, the official
coverage is said as 88% in nontribal district and 91% in tribal area. The main reason for noncompliance was fear of adverse effects of
the allopathic medicines (59%) in the nontribal area while lack of information was the prime reason among respondents (65%) of the
tribal district.
Conclusion: The lower coverage and poor compliance was primarily due to poor IEC/BCC in nontribal district where as it was due to
lack of information about the distribution of medicines in the tribal district. Proper planning and its implementation is strongly the
need of the time for success of the programme.


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