dc.contributor.author |
Wijesinghe, R.S. |
en_US |
dc.contributor.author |
Wickremasinghe, A.R. |
en_US |
dc.contributor.author |
Ekanayake, S. |
en_US |
dc.contributor.author |
Perera, M.S.A. |
en_US |
dc.date.accessioned |
2014-10-29T09:27:12Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2014-10-29T09:27:12Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2008 |
en_US |
dc.identifier.citation |
Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. 2008; 20(2): pp.129-38 |
en_US |
dc.identifier.issn |
1010-5395 (Print) |
en_US |
dc.identifier.issn |
1941-2479 (Electronic) |
en_US |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1887 |
|
dc.description |
Indexed in MEDLINE |
|
dc.description.abstract |
This cross-sectional, descriptive study describes the treatment-seeking behavior of 413 lymphoedema patients attending 2 filariasis clinics in theColombo district, Sri Lanka. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire obtained information regarding sources and types of treatment taken, time taken for diagnosis, and details regarding diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) treatment. There was a mean delay of 2.37 years (SD 1.37) in diagnosing filariasis after the first appearance of limb swelling. General practitioners were the most frequent first-contact health care providers and the most visited source overall, followed by government hospitals and Ayurvedic practitioners. Approximately 95% of patients were on DEC treatmentranging from 10 days to 43 years (mean 2.5 years SD +/- 1.1). Sixty-one percent of patients reported always having taken the recommended DEC course. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, and antibiotics were liberally prescribed. Approximately 97% had sought treatment from a medical practitioner for an acute adenolymphangitis attack. Despite the area being endemic for filariasis, there was a delay in treatment and inappropriate use of DEC in patients with chronic filarial lymphoedema |
|
dc.publisher |
SAGE Publishing |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Filariasis |
en_US |
dc.title |
Treatment seeking behavior and treatment practices of lymphatic filariasis patients with Lymphoedema in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka |
en_US |
dc.type |
Article |
en_US |
dc.identifier.department |
Public Health |
en_US |
dc.creator.corporateauthor |
Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health |
en_US |