Epidemiology, Vector biology and Environmental monitoring Research Unites, Entomology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, Burdwan West- 713340; Parasitology Laboratory, Mosquito and Microbiology Research Units, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan East, West Bengal, India.
Department of Medicine, The Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Harish Mukherjee Road, Bhwanipur, Kolkata, India.
J Vector Borne Dis. 2020 Oct-Dec;57(4):295-300. doi: 10.4103/0972-9062.313970.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected parasitic disease of tropics and subtropics including India. Although the disease mostly affects adults, there are evidences that LF infection is often acquired during childhood. This study assessed the filarial epidemiology as well as awareness about the disease among school children in the rural areas of Bankura district, West Bengal, India.
Night blood samples of 1193 school children were examined to detect microfilariae. They were examined clinically by a physician for filarial manifestations and inquired about their awareness on the disease.
Microfilaria rate and disease rate among school children of the study area were assessed as 3.69% and 8.97% respectively. Only 12.74% of the school children had proper knowledge about filariasis and 72.09% had filarial patients living nearby. Among those affected children, 53.79% never received proper medical attention and 66.21% were found to be anxious about the fate of their filarial problems. School going males were found to be more affected than the females. Anxiety about the effect of the disease in girls was higher due to societal and medical ignorance among women that might develop psychological concerns.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, in the present study area, about 12.15% population acquired filarial infection at the stage of schooling. But effort for developing awareness about filariasis among the school children is scanty, which is presumably one of the major causes of high endemicity. To rectify the situation, knowledge about mosquito and mosquito borne diseases, including LF, should be properly incorporated in school curriculum. Control measures like anti-filarial drug administration and morbidity-management can be implemented in schools by the local governments, as it should be.
淋巴丝虫病（LF）是一种热带和亚热带地区（包括印度）被忽视的寄生虫病。尽管这种疾病主要影响成年人，但有证据表明，LF 感染通常发生在儿童时期。本研究评估了印度西孟加拉邦班库拉区农村地区的丝虫流行病学以及在校儿童对该病的认识。
检查了 1193 名在校儿童的夜间血样以检测微丝蚴。由一名医生对他们进行临床检查，以发现丝虫病的表现，并询问他们对该病的认识。
研究地区的在校儿童微丝蚴率和疾病率分别为 3.69%和 8.97%。只有 12.74%的学生对丝虫病有正确的认识，72.09%的学生有附近的丝虫病患者。在受影响的儿童中，53.79%从未接受过适当的医疗护理，66.21%对他们的丝虫病问题的命运感到焦虑。在校男生比女生更容易受到影响。由于社会和医疗方面的无知，女孩对疾病的影响感到焦虑，这可能会导致心理问题。
本研究表明，在当前的研究地区，约有 12.15%的人口在上学阶段感染了丝虫。但是，针对在校儿童开展的丝虫病防治意识教育工作十分匮乏，这可能是导致高流行率的主要原因之一。为了改善这种情况，应该在学校课程中适当纳入有关蚊子和蚊子传播疾病（包括 LF）的知识。地方政府应在学校实施抗丝虫药物治疗和发病管理等控制措施。
