BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar is endemic in Bihar state, India. Current vector control programme in Bihar focuses mainly on spraying the sandfly infested dwellings with DDT. The Government of India in collaboration with WHO has fixed the target 2015 for total elimination of kala-azar. The present study was carried out to see the impact of DDT and improved IEC in the containment of vector density vis-à-vis disease transmission. METHODS: Before the start of the spraying operations training was imparted to all the medical and paramedical personnel regarding the methods of spraying operations. Pre- and post-sandfly density was monitored in four selected districts. Incidences of kala-azar cases were compared for pre- and post-spray periods. Social acceptability and perceptions of households was collected through questionnaires from 500 randomly selected households in the study districts. RESULTS: House index in three study districts reduced considerably during post-spray when compared to pre-spray. Kala-azar incidence in many districts was reduced after the DDT spray. Either partial or complete refusal was reported in 14.4%, while 35% were not satisfied with the suspension concentration and coverage; and 46.6% were found satisfied with the spraying procedure. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Strengthening the IEC activities to sensitise the community, proper training of health personnel, monitoring of spray, good surveillance, proper treatment of cases and two rounds of DDT spray with good coverage in the endemic districts up to three years are essential to achieve the desired total elimination of kala-azar in Bihar state.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:Visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar is endemic in Bihar state, India. Current vector control programme in Bihar focuses mainly on spraying the sandfly infested dwellings with DDT. The Government of India in collaboration with WHO has fixed the target 2015 for total elimination of kala-azar. The present study was carried out to see the impact of DDT and improved IEC in the containment of vector density vis-à-vis disease transmission. METHODS: Before the start of the spraying operations training was imparted to all the medical and paramedical personnel regarding the methods of spraying operations. Pre- and post-sandfly density was monitored in four selected districts. Incidences of kala-azar cases were compared for pre- and post-spray periods. Social acceptability and perceptions of households was collected through questionnaires from 500 randomly selected households in the study districts. RESULTS: House index in three study districts reduced considerably during post-spray when compared to pre-spray. Kala-azar incidence in many districts was reduced after the DDT spray. Either partial or complete refusal was reported in 14.4%, while 35% were not satisfied with the suspension concentration and coverage; and 46.6% were found satisfied with the spraying procedure. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Strengthening the IEC activities to sensitise the community, proper training of health personnel, monitoring of spray, good surveillance, proper treatment of cases and two rounds of DDT spray with good coverage in the endemic districts up to three years are essential to achieve the desired total elimination of kala-azar in Bihar state.
Authors: Bruce Y Lee; Kristina M Bacon; Mirat Shah; Sara Beth Kitchen; Diana L Connor; Rachel B Slayton Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Epke A Le Rutte; Luc E Coffeng; Daniel M Bontje; Epco C Hasker; José A Ruiz Postigo; Daniel Argaw; Marleen C Boelaert; Sake J De Vlas Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2016-01-19 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Rhea N Coler; Malcolm S Duthie; Kimberly A Hofmeyer; Jeffery Guderian; Lakshmi Jayashankar; Julie Vergara; Tom Rolf; Ayesha Misquith; John D Laurance; Vanitha S Raman; H Remy Bailor; Natasha Dubois Cauwelaert; Steven J Reed; Aarthy Vallur; Michelle Favila; Mark T Orr; Jill Ashman; Prakash Ghosh; Dinesh Mondal; Steven G Reed Journal: Clin Transl Immunology Date: 2015-04-10