A socioenvironmental composite index as a tool for identifying urban areas at risk of lymphatic filariasis

Abstract

Summaryobjective To describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis and its relationship with the socioenvironmental risk indicator, thus identifying priority localities for interventions in endemic urban areas.methods The study area was the municipality of Jaboatã o dos Guararapes, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The data sources were a parasitological survey and the 2000 demographic census. From these data, a socioenvironmental composite risk indicator was constructed using the 484 census tracts (CT) as the analysis units, based on the score-formation technique. Census tracts with higher indicator values presented higher risk of occurrences of filariasis.results Six thousand five hundred and seven households were surveyed and 23 673 individuals were examined, among whom 323 cases of microfilaremia were identified. The mean prevalence rate for the municipality was 1.4%. The indicator showed that 73% (237 ⁄ 323) of the cases of microfilaremia were in high-risk areas (third and fourth quartiles) with worse socioenvironmental conditions (RR = 4.86, CI = 3.09-7.73, P < 0.05).conclusions The socioenvironmental composite risk indicator demonstrated sensitivity, since it was able to identify the localities with greater occurrence of infection. Because it can stratify spaces by using official and available data, it constitutes an important tool for use in the worldwide program for eliminating lymphatic filariasis.

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding lymphatic filariasis: study on systematic noncompliance with mass drug administration

“…In the future, these individuals would possibly become microfilaremic if they were not treated. Thus, they would have the capacity to participate in the local transmission cycle, given that the environmental conditions are favorable for C. quinquefasciatus to breed 10,25 . The impact of MDA is assessed through sentinel and spot-check sites in order to provide program managers with precise information on the evolution of infection, so that decisions can be made 2 .…”

“…Despite this progress, LF persists as a public health problem in municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Recife (Olinda, Jaboatão dos Guararapes and Recife), in the State of Pernambuco 10-13 . The treatment regimen adopted in Brazil has consisted of MDA with a single dose of diethylcarbamazine 15 .…”

Epidemiological Assessment of Eight Rounds of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis in India: Implications for Monitoring and Evaluation

“…Therefore, further studies are required to identify the determinants as well as methods to rapidly detect such hotspots. A composite index, based on socio-environmental risk factors, was shown to be useful in identifying urban areas with higher infection [24], [25]. Limitation of this approach is obtaining socio-environmental data for all villages/wards in an IU as well as the application of the composite index as such for India, where an organized waste/sewage disposal system does not exist.…”

The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present

“…In settings where socioeconomic and sanitary conditions have improved and interventions have been implemented in recent decades, the disease has gradually disappeared, for example in the Caribbean region [138]. In those countries with active transmission today -Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Haiti [39,139], infection occurs mainly in urban settings and is strongly associated with poor socioeconomic conditions [140][141][142]. Future work will explore the interplay of environmental, socioeconomic factors and coverage of interventions on the distribution and prevalence of LF.…”