Community Members' Perceptions of Mass Drug Administration for Control of Lymphatic Filariasis in Rural and Urban Tanzania

Datos Bibliográficos

ID24078465
AutoresWilliam J Kisoka, William Kisoka (christian medical college, vellore, autor de correspondencia), Britt Pinkowsky Tersbøl (University of Copenhagen), Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch (0000-0003-1108-8987, University of Copenhagen), Paul E Simonsen (University of Copenhagen), Declare Mushi (0000-0003-4742-9376, christian medical college, vellore), Declare L Mushi
Año2016
Volumen48
Número1
Páginas94-112
Fecha de publicación2016-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932015000024
PMID25790081
OpenAlexW2171729732
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas34

Lymphatic filariasis is one of several neglected tropical diseases with severely disabling and stigmatizing manifestations that are referred to as ‘neglected diseases of poverty’. It is a mosquito-borne disease found endemically and exclusively in low-income contexts where, concomitantly, general public health care is often deeply troubled and fails to meet the basic health needs of impoverished populations. This presents particular challenges for the implementation of mass drug administration (MDA), which currently is the principal means of control and eventual elimination. Several MDA programmes face the dilemma that they are unable to attain and maintain the required drug coverage across target groups. In recognition of this, a qualitative study was conducted in the Morogoro and Lindi regions of Tanzania to gain an understanding of community experiences with, and perceptions of, the MDA campaign implemented in 2011 by the National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme. The study revealed a wide variation of perceptions and experiences regarding the aim, rationale and justification of MDA. There were positive sentiments about the usefulness of the drugs, but many study participants were sceptical about the manner in which MDA is implemented. People were particularly disappointed with the limited attempts by implementers to share information and mobilize residents. In addition, negative sentiments towards MDA for lymphatic filariasis reflected a general feeling of desertion and marginalization by the health care system and political authorities. However, the results suggest that if the communities are brought on board with genuine respect for their integrity and informed self-determination, there is scope for major improvements in community support for MDA-based control activities.

Administration (probate law) · Community participation · Environmental health · Filariasis · Geography · Helminths · Lymphatic filariasis · Mass drug administration · Political science · Population · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Tanzania · Urban community · Immunology · Medicine · Parasite Biology and Host Interactions · Parasites and Host Interactions · Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment