Critical Appraisal of Mass DEC Compliance in a District of West Bengal

Abstract

Background & Objectives: As a part of Revised Filaria control strategy, MDA programme was implemented in Murshidabad district from 29th - 31st December 2008. A cross sectional study was carried out to assess drug compliance after Mass Drug Administration of DEC and the factors responsible for poor compliance among the population of Murshidabad district of West Bengal during Jan 2009. Materials & methods: Total study unit were 120 families covering 3 villages and one municipality ward area (30 families from each area). Results: Out of 601 family members, 571 were eligible for Mass drug administration (6 pregnant women and < 2 years age groups (24) were excluded). Drug distribution rate was 91.8%.Overall drug compliance was 42.3%.Total number of defaulters was 330 (57.7%). Non compliance was highest (75.5%) in urban area. Defaulters were more among male than female. Factors responsible for defaulters were no motivation (24.7%), drugs not supplied (22.5%) ,absence at home (13.5%),no faith (10.1%), fear of side effects (10.1%) and others (Forgotten, lack of prior IEC etc), illness, wrong information were 7.8%, 7.3%, 3.9% respectively. Majority has no side effects, only dizziness (3.3%), headache (1.7%), vomiting and others (4.1%) were experienced by the people after consumption of drugs. On an average 40% families were aware about ELF & transmission of disease. Only 43.7% of community members were informed about MDA by Health Workers prior to the implementation of MDA programme.