Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Surveillance for transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Colombo and Gampaha districts of Sri Lanka following mass drug administration(Oxford University Press, 2016) Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Premaratna, R.; Samarasekera, D.S.; de Silva, N.R.BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka was recently declared by WHO to have eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, after conclusion of annual mass drug administration. Our aim was to assess the lymphatic filariasis situation, following mass drug administration. METHODS: Surveillance was done in two districts of the Western Province in two consecutive phases (2009-2010 and 2013-2015), by examining 2461 thick night blood smears and performing 250 dipstick tests on children for antibodies to Brugia malayi. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Decline in bancroftian microfilaraemia (microfilaria rate 0.32% to zero) supports elimination, but re-emergence of brugian filariasisis (antibody rate, 1.6%; one microfilaria positive) is a cause for concern.Item Controlling lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis together in South Asia: opportunities and challenges(Oxford University Press, 2006) Padmasiri, E.A.; Montresor, A.; Biswas, G.; de Silva, N.R.Item Compliance with the mass chemotherapy program for lymphatic filariasis(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Kasturiratne, K.T.A.A.; Premaratna, B.A.H.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, N.R.; de Silva, H.J.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate compliance with the single dose mass chemotherapy program for control of filariasis, and to determine factors influencing compliance in the Gampaha district. DESIGN: A prospective study employing a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: Four groups comprising individuals over one year old with residence in the Gampaha district for over one year were surveyed. Data collection was started two weeks after the mass chemotherapy program. RESULTS: 2300 questionnaires were distributed, 1983 (86.2 percent) were returned, and 1935 (84.1 percent) were sufficiently complete for analysis (857 males; mean age 39 years, SD equal 19.5). Over 96 percent had heard of filariasis and the mass chemotherapy program, but only 60.3 percent of those over 11 years of age were aware of asymptomatic carriage of the parasite. 1289 (66.6percent) out of the total sample surveyed (1935 individuals) had obtained the diethylcarbamazine tablets, and 1221 (63.1 percent) had taken the drug. Of the possible demographic factors that could have influenced compliance only educational level seemed to play an independent significant role, compliance being lowest at both extremes of educational level. The main problem with compliance was obtaining the drug from distribution centres. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the mass chemotherapy program to control filariasis needs improvement. Strategies should include a better system for distributing the drug, and altering the content of the publicity material used by the program to target less compliant groups, and improve aspects of knowledge regarding filariasis that seem inadequate at present.