Some epidemiological aspects of lymphatic filariasis and its prevention by using some fish predators

Abstract

The present study was carried out mainly in the two extreme poor prone zones like north and south zones of the country consisting 20 districts, among those, three districts like Gaibandha, Sylhet, Mymensingh are non-endemic area of filariasis. It was observed that, the factors which make the reduction of prevalence of lymphatic filariasisare the cost effective safe way control of the vector of lymphatic filariasis and also the effectiveness of predation by fish as a control measure of the vector of lymphatic filariasis. The availability and suitability for surviving the mosquito larvae and their predators in the same water bodies surrounding the lymphatic filariasis affected patient’s house was also recorded. On the basis of the above mentioned factors, different aspects of Lymphatic filariasis in Bangladesh including its epidemiological aspects, knowledge attitude and practices of the people and the scope of its prevention by using some fish predators were studied in the present study. Out of 20 studied districts, Bagerhat, Gopalganj, Sylhet, Narail, Mymensingh and Norshindhi have no patients of filariasis. The highest frequency of patients found in Lalmonirhat educational status/knowledge/awareness of the household’s people. Very few patients of endemic district are used to go for treatment to the health complex. Mosquito larvae and their predators were collected from three different types of habitat from the study areas. Ditch and abandoned ponds are abundant in south zone but the pit surrounding the tube well is the main breeding grounds in north zone, so the more effective breeding grounds for the vector of filariasis like-Culex quinquefasciatus is higher in north zone than that of south zone. Pit surrounding the tube well Fishes collected from mosquito breeding grounds were allowed to feed upon different instars of Culex quinquefasciatus to determine their predation capacity. Among the fishes Clarias batrachus consumed the highest number of larvae It may be concluded that filariasis is mainly poor people disease because of their illiteracy and unhygienic-unhealthy living of standard. The lack of awareness, poor water-sanitation condition and living place surrounded by the mosquito breeding grounds are also responsible for endemism. The prevention mechanism of this disease should be predation of larvae by fish predators which will be safe for health and cost effective. So the study findings suggest for culturing suitable fish in the breeding grounds of mosquito larvae as a preventive measure against filariasis. Though the filariasis is a poor people disease, so poverty alleviation program should be expanded in every pocket of poverty stricken area. Poverty alleviation program for the poorest of the poor not only for upgrading their economic condition but also for upgrading their socio-cultural condition; increasing community participation in infrastructural condition;increasing awareness; changing attitude; providing health knowledge towards the causes, preventions and safe way control measures of filarial disease.