Prevalence of bancroftian filariasis and associated factors in the urban district of Lindi, Tanzania.

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dc.contributor.authorMwita, Mahemba Alex
dc.date.accessioned2019-09-18T12:20:33Z
dc.date.accessioned2020-01-07T15:45:02Z
dc.date.available2019-09-18T12:20:33Z
dc.date.available2020-01-07T15:45:02Z
dc.date.issued1996
dc.descriptionAvailable in print formen_US
dc.description.abstractIn September 1995, a cross sectional study was done in Lindi urban. The aim was to determine the magnitude of filarial infection and the population perceptions on its causes, transmission, prevention and treatment. A total of 872 people aged 10 years and above from four wards were interviewed. Clinical examination to detect hydrocele and elephantiasis was carried out. Also, nocturnal blood samples were collected and examined to detect microfilaraemia. The results show that hydrocele and elephantiasis were recognized as health problems in the community (79.2% and 77.8% respectively). However, only 26.6% and 42.2% of respondents, respectively knew that the conditions were mosquito transmitted. Various beliefs of causation for hydrocele and elephantiasis were reported. However, higher proportions of respondents believed in the "will of God" ( 31% and 36.4% respectively). Whereas, 85.9% of the respondents knew that hydrocele can be surgically treated, 57.1% believed that hydrocele cannot be prevented and 51.3% believed so for elephantiasis. A total of 76.2% of the respondents were using anti-mosquito measures; the mosquito-net was the most popular, used by 60% of the respondents. People using nets had statistically significant lower microfilaria prevalence than non users. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was 12.1% (95% CI 9.6% - 14.6%). The prevalences of the chronic sequelae were 13.5% (95% CI 9.9% - 17.1%) for hydrocele, 5.2% (95% CI 3.7% - 6.7%) for limb elephantiasis and 0,5% (95% CI 0% - 1.3%) for scrotal elephantiasis. The current prevalence of microfilaraemia and hydrocele suggests that transmission continues unabated in the community due to general lack of knowledge on causes, transmission, prevention and organized control programme for Bancroftian filariasis. It is recommended that an intervention programme for prevention be developed for the area.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMwita, M. A. (1996). Prevalence of bancroftian filariasis and associated factors in the urban district of Lindi, Tanzania. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/search.aspx?formtype=advanced)en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1546
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Dar es Salaamen_US
dc.subjectHtdroceleen_US
dc.subjectFilarial wormsen_US
dc.subjectFilariasisen_US
dc.subjectLindi urban districten_US
dc.subjectTanzaniaen_US
dc.titlePrevalence of bancroftian filariasis and associated factors in the urban district of Lindi, Tanzania.en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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