Retrospective evaluation of the determinants of compliance with the Egyptian mass drug administration programme for lymphatic filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease capable of causing significant morbidity, disability, and economic burden. Egypt launched the national LF elimination programme in ۲۰۰۰ via mass drug administration (MDA) and was recognized by WHO as having successfully achieved LF elimination in ۲۰۱۷. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a former Egyptian village included in the anti-LF MDA programme, to identify the determinants of individual compliance with MDA. From August ۱ to December ۳۱, ۲۰۲۲, all individuals who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly selected from attendees of the Alkorain Endemic Diseases Centre. The study participants were interviewed to recall their MDA participation, and the data were then recorded in a structured questionnaire. Of the ۷۵ individuals studied, ۶۵.۳% reported full compliance with MDA, and ۵۷.۷% of the non-compliant participants mentioned discontinued drug delivery as the reason for non-compliance. Full compliance was found to be significantly associated with age, education, and LF knowledge level. Moreover, univariate regression analysis showed that adults, males, government employees, those with academy/university education, and those with good LF knowledge had significantly higher odds of full compliance with all MDA rounds compared with children, females, students, those with elementary school education, and those with poor LF knowledge, respectively.  However, multivariate analysis indicated that educational level could be the most significant independent predictor of full compliance. Our study concluded that the individual's age, educational level, and knowledge level regarding LF can play a significant role in full compliance with anti-LF MDA programmes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Lymphatic filariasis Community participation ، Mass drug administration ، Full compliance