RESUMO
To support the global program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), well-monitored demonstration projects are important for defining the relationship between coverage and reductions in microfilaremia. We are using mass treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole in an effort to eliminate LF from Leogane, Haiti. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaremia prevalence at baseline ranged from 0.8% to 15.9% in four sentinel sites. After three rounds of DEC-albendazole mass drug administration (MDA), both microfilaremia prevalence and intensity decreased dramatically. Mild and moderate adverse reactions after treatment were common, especially after the first MDA, but decreased after subsequent MDAs. Drug coverage for the first year was estimated to be 72%, but concerns about adverse reactions appeared to decrease drug coverage in the second MDA. As a result of community education efforts that focused on providing a greater understanding of adverse reactions, coverage increased dramatically for the third round. Program efficiency increased substantially; the costs per person treated for three rounds of MDA were 2.23 US dollars, 1.96 US dollars, and 1.30 US dollars per person, respectively. The Leogane experience highlights the importance of adapting community education and mobilization campaigns to achieve and maintain good coverage.
Assuntos
Albendazol/administração & dosagem , Dietilcarbamazina/administração & dosagem , Filaricidas/administração & dosagem , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Albendazol/economia , Albendazol/uso terapêutico , Animais , Dietilcarbamazina/economia , Dietilcarbamazina/uso terapêutico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Filariose Linfática/tratamento farmacológico , Filariose Linfática/economia , Filariose Linfática/epidemiologia , Filariose Linfática/prevenção & controle , Filaricidas/economia , Filaricidas/uso terapêutico , Programas Governamentais/economia , Haiti , Educação em Saúde , Humanos , Microfilárias/efeitos dos fármacos , Microfilárias/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Vigilância de Evento Sentinela , Wuchereria bancrofti/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Although lymphatic filariasis is known to have been endemic in Haiti since at least the mid 1700s, a national filariasis survey has never been conducted. As a first step in the national program to eliminate filariasis, we collected blood in January-April 2001 from 50-250 school children (6-11 years old) in all 133 communes of the country using an adaptation of the lot quality assurance sampling method. Of 22,365 children tested, 901 (4.0%) were positive for circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigen. When weighted by commune population, the overall national antigen prevalence in this age group was 7.3%. Infected children were found in 117 (87.9%) communes, the most heavily affected areas being concentrated in the northern part of the country. In only 16 (12.1%) communes were all 250 children antigen negative. Thus, W. bancrofti infection in Haiti is much more widespread than previously realized; virtually the entire population of the country may be considered at risk of infection.