The Knowledge And Perception About Lymphatic Filariasis In One Of The Endemic Talukas Of Rural North Karnataka
101-103
Correspondence
Dr. Ashok S Dorle
Professor,
Dept. of Community Medicine,
S.Nijalingappa Medical College,
Bagalkot -587102, Karnataka
Mobile: 09448408244
Email: ashok.dorle@rediff.com
Research Question: 1) To study the knowledge and perception about lymphatic filariasis (LF) in one of the endemic talukas of rural north Karnataka
Objectives:
1. To evaluate the knowledge and perception about lymphatic filariasis in one of the endemic talukas of rural north Karnataka.
2. To find out the source of information of the MDA activity of the respondents.
Study Design: A cross sectional study.
Study Area: The Bilagi taluka of Bagalkot district which comprises 65 villages.
Study Period: The study was conducted for 6 months i.e. from March 2009 to September 2009.
Study Participants: People from the villages of the Bilagi taluka.
Methods: The data was collected by using pre- tested and pre- designed proforma.
Results: Most of the study population (68.99%) was not aware about the mode of spread of lymphatic filariasis (LF). Only 31.01% knew that LF spread by mosquito bites. A majority of the study population (63.67%) said that mosquitos breed in dirty water and only 6.64 % said that mosquitos breed in clean water. 64.86% of the study population had knowledge about the manifestations of lymphatic filariasis, while 35.14% did not have any knowledge about the manifestations of the disease. 70.83% were aware about the treatment for filariasis, while the rest of them (29.17%) were not aware about it. The most common sources of information about the MDA activity were government workers like ANMs (40.24%) and Anganwadi workers (30.19%). Teachers were the source of information for only 23.16% of the population. The role of media as a source of information on MDA activity was minimal (0.27%).