Prevalence and risk factors for positive lymphatic filariasis antibody in Sabah, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Nur Dalila Zakaria and Richard Avoi (2021) Prevalence and risk factors for positive lymphatic filariasis antibody in Sabah, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. ISSN 0035-9203 (P-ISSN) , 1878-3503 (E-ISSN)

Text Prevalence and risk factors for positive lymphatic filariasis antibody in Sabah, Malaysia_ a cross-sectional study_ABSTRACT.pdf Download (66kB)

Abstract

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a public health problem in Sabah, Malaysia. In the subdistrict of Tangkarason, nine rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) were probably not effective in reducing the prevalence of microfilaria to the <1% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization for stopping MDA. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with positive LF antibody in Tangkarason. Methods: Eligible adults >18 y of age in seven endemic villages in Tangkarason, Beluran, Sabah, were interviewed and tested for LF antibody using the Brugia Rapid kit. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to analyse the associated factors. Results: A total of 244 respondents were included in this study. Their median age was 40 y (interquartile range 30–53). The antibody prevalence of brugian filariasis in the study population was 31.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.7 to 37.2). Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.04 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.06]) and outdoor jobs (aOR 2.26 [95% CI 1.05 to 4.85]) were identified as independent risk factors for positive LF antibody. Participating in the MDA program previously (aOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.10 to 0.57]) was found to be a protective factor for LF infection. Conclusions: A high prevalence of microfilariae was confirmed in all the study sites, which was above the target of <1%. Important factors associated with positive LF antibody were identified, which could be used as a guide for program managers to design more focused control measures in LF-endemic areas.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Brugian Filariasis , Malaysia , Prevalence , Risk Factors
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC31-1245 Internal medicine > RC581-951 Specialties of internal medicine > RC633-647.5 Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User:	SAFRUDIN BIN DARUN -
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2021 17:35
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2021 17:35
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/31204

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