Epidemiology of bancroftian filariasis in three suburban areas of Matara, Sri Lanka

Weerasooriya, Mirani V.; Weerasooriya, T R; Gunawardena, N.K.; Samarawickrema, W. A.; Kimura, Eizen

doi:10.1080/00034983.2001.11813638

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Globally an estimated 15 million suffer disfiguring symptoms of lymphoedema and elephantiasis [14]. Although the national burden of lymphoedema has not been fully quantified, a prevalence of 3% has been reported from some parts of the country [15]. Therefore, in Sri Lanka, morbidity management needs to be strengthened.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundLittle information is available on methods of treatment practiced by patients affected by filarial lymphoedema in Sri Lanka. The frequency and duration of acute dematolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) attacks in these patients remain unclear. This study reports the knowledge, practices and perceptions regarding lymphoedema management and the burden of ADLA attacks among patients with lymphoedema.MethodsA semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess morbidity alleviation knowledge, practices and perceptions. The burden of ADLA attacks was assessed using one-year recall data.Results66 patients (22 males, 44 females) with mean age 51.18 years (SD ± 13.9) were studied. Approximately two thirds of the patients were aware of the importance of skin and nail hygiene, limb elevation and use of footwear. Washing was practiced on a daily and twice daily basis by 40.9% and 48.5% respectively. However, limb elevation, exercise and use of footwear were practiced only by 21–42.4% (while seated and lying down), 6% and 34.8% respectively. The majority of patients considered regular intake of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) important. Approximately two thirds (65.2%) had received health education from filariasis clinics. Among patients who sought private care (n = 48) the average cost of treatment for an ADLA attack was Rs. 737.91. Only 18.2% had feelings of isolation and reported community reactions ranging from sympathy to fear and ridicule.ConclusionsFilariasis morbidity control clinics play an essential role in the dissemination of morbidity control knowledge. Referral of lymphoedema patients to morbidity control clinics is recommended.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The population, housing, terrain and occupation of the people in these suburbs, which lie within the coastal belt where bancroftian filariasis is endemic, have already been described by Weerasooriya et al (2001). The detailed maps, showing the streets and houses in the study area, which Weerasooriya et al (2001) prepared, using maps from the national survey department, were also used for the present study.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the original epidemiological survey of the area by Weerasooriya et al (2001) and subsequent (unpublished) surveys, cases of irreversible lymphoedema in different stages of advancement were observed and recorded. Guided by these records, an attempt was made to give each lymphoedema case living in the study area a detailed examination.…”

Section: Study Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The clinical manifestations of LF in this area were first described by Abdulcader and Sasa (1966). Several decades later, Weerasooriya et al (2001) reported the results of epidemiological studies on LF in three suburbs of the town of Matara, in southern Sri Lanka, and Chandrasena et al (2004) described the knowledge, practices and perceptions, relating to lymphoedema management, of patients attending clinics in Gampaha district, close to Colombo. The main aim of the present study was to record baseline information on the lymphoedemaassociated morbidity and lymphoedemamanagement practices in individuals from three suburbs of Matara, before a morbiditycontrol programme based on the new strategies was launched.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Lymphoedema and its management in cases of lymphatic filariasis: the current situation in three suburbs of Matara, Sri Lanka, before the introduction of a morbidity-control programme

Yahathugoda

Wickramasinghe

Weerasooriya

et al. 2005

Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Using in-depth interviews, information on the current state of lymphoedema management was collected from 101 cases of lymphatic filariasis with lymphoedema in three suburbs of Matara. The interviews were conducted prior to the introduction of a programme of community home-based care (CHBC) that incorporates modern lymphoedema-management strategies. Thirty-two of the interviewees had severe lymphoedema (of grade III or above). The male interviewees had significantly more entry lesions than the female. Most of the subjects had suffered from episodes of limb pain with fever, although the incidence of these episodes appeared unrelated to the severity of the lymphoedema. The frequency of the episodes of limb-pain/fever in the 12 months prior to the interviews appeared unrelated either to the level of daily hygiene, which was generally poor, or to the frequency of bathing. Many (65%) of the subjects paid no attention to limb care when bathing, and 44% did not use footwear. Over 80% made no effort to keep their afflicted limbs elevated, and 95% did not exercise. Most of the female interviewees felt shameful of their condition and were, in consequence, less likely to attend government clinics, for treatment, than the male interviewees. The drug treatment that the interviewees had received was often inadequate, and most had stopped seeking treatment because they had not perceived any significant treatment-attributable improvement in their condition. Modern lymphoedema-management strategies (based on regular washing, careful drying, and treatment, with antifungal, antibiotic or emollient creams, of the affected limbs, limb elevation, exercise, and use of footwear) had not reached the study communities and the local physicians were not aware of them. When dermatology life-quality indexes (DLQI) were calculated for the interviewees, the 26 most impaired subjects gave scores of 5-15 (mean=8.6). The DLQI for these subjects will be regularly re-evaluated, as a measure of the effectiveness of the CHBC programme that has now begun.

show abstract

“…[3] In India 98% of infections are caused by W. bancrofti with the Culicine species being the most prevalent vector. [4,5] The highest burden of infection is seen in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. [6] The complex life cycle begins with ingestion of microfilariae during the mosquito's blood meal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinicopathological Spectrum of Chronic Filarial Epididymo-Orchitis

Paul

Kwatra

Calton

et al. 2018

APALM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Filariasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease, most commonly caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. Chronic lymphatic filariasis in males usually presents as scrotal swelling with hydrocoele, although, a variety of other genital manifestations can also be seen. This study was undertaken to establish the clinicopathological spectrum of chronic filarial epididymo-orchitis (FEO) in a tertiary care institution in India.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study spanning a retrospective period of 17 years from 2000-2017.

show abstract

Epidemiology of bancroftian filariasis in three suburban areas of Matara, Sri Lanka

Cited by 12 publications

References 12 publications

Untitled

Untitled

Lymphoedema and its management in cases of lymphatic filariasis: the current situation in three suburbs of Matara, Sri Lanka, before the introduction of a morbidity-control programme

Clinicopathological Spectrum of Chronic Filarial Epididymo-Orchitis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About