Directly observed treatment increases drug compliance in lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration
Abstract: Mass drug
administration (MDA) has been one of the strategies for lymphatic filariasis
elimination. Since the start of implementation in 2011 in Pekalongan, no study
on MDA acceptability has yet been done. The objectives of the study were to
determine the microfilaria rate (mf rate) and the risk factors of drug
compliance in the MDA program.
A longitudinal study was conducted at Pabean region, Pekalongan City.
There were 90 household heads as subjects, who were selected by proportional
cluster random sampling. Microfilaria rate (mf rate) was determined by finger
blood examination. Drug compliance was measured using questionnaires and
observation sheets. Drug compliance observers, filariasis counseling
participation, and presence of filariasis patients were factors influencing
drug compliance.
Mf rate in 2015 was 1.35% and drug compliance rate was 86.80%. Reasons
for failing to take drugs were fear of side effects (50%), refusals (25%),
laziness (16.7%), and perceiving the drug to be useless (8.3%). The chi-square
test shows a significant difference between the presence of drug compliance
observer and compliance (p=0.006). Filariasis counseling participation and
presence of filariasis patients did not show a significant difference with drug
compliance (p= 0.986).
Families as the source of observers was associated with increased
filariasis drug compliance. It is therefore essential to address the issues
linked to low compliance to make the program more efficient and achieve the
goal of filariasis elimination.
Author: Tutik Ida Rosanti,
Sugeng Juwono Mardihusodo, Wayan T. Artama
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160070