An evaluation of mass drug administration compliance against filariasis of Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh-A household-based community study

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) means once-in-a-year administration of diethyl carbamazine (DEC) tablet to all people (excluding children under 2 years, pregnant women and severely ill persons) in identified endemic areas. It aims at cessation of transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Objective: To study the coverage and compliance of MDA in Tikamgarh district during the campaign in April 2010. Materials and Methods: The activities under MDA involved administration of DEC tablets to eligible population from endemic area by health staff and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) functionaries referred as drug distributors (DD) make house-to-house visits on select dates in 2010. DEC was administered to all people (excluding children under 2 years, pregnant women and severely ill persons) with the instruction to ingest the tablet preferably on the spot. Study Design: Cross-sectional population based house-to-house visit. Setting: Urban and rural areas in Tikamgarh district identified as endemic for filariasis where MDA 2010 was undertaken. Study Variables: Exploratory - Rural and urban clusters of Tikamgarh district; Outcome - coverage, compliance, actual coverage, side effects. Analysis: Percentage and proportions. Results: Four clusters, each comprising 30 households from Tikamgarh endemic district, yielded an eligible population of 641. The coverage rate was 607 (94.6% of eligible) with variation across different areas. The compliance with drug ingestion was 89.9% with a gap of 10.1% to be targeted by intensive IEC. The effective coverage (85.2%) was just above the target (85%). Side effects of DEC were minimum, transient and drug-specific. Overall coverage was marginally better in rural areas. The causes of poor coverage and compliance have been discussed and relevant suggestions have been made.