Impact of mass drug administration of ivermectin and albendazole on transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti lymphatic filariasis from 2001 to 2017 in Burkina Faso.

Abstract

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected parasitic transmitted disease that the world has pledged to eliminate by 2020. Burkina Faso has initiated an elimination programme from 2001 to 2017. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of annual mass drug administration of ivermectin and albendazole on lymphatic filariasis transmission.

Methods: This was an ecological study conducted covering the period from 2001 to 2017. The data were collected from 1 January to 31 December 2017. In this study, we have considered data pertaining to the annual distribution of treatment according to geographical location, sex, age, and the various post-treatment evaluations, including the antigenic test and the microscopic search for microfilariae. All health districts implementing mass drug administration were included. The statistical analyses were descriptive using STATA software version 15.

Results: During reviewing 16 years data of program implementation, the geographical coverage of health districts was complete 70/70 (100%). The average treatment coverage was 80%. Microfilaremia was less than 1% in 21 of the 30 sentinel sites. Post-treatment surveillance showed that the prevalence of filarial antigen was less than 1% at 2, 4, and 6 years after. Of the 70 endemic health districts, 87% (61/70) interrupted transmission.

Conclusion: Lymphatic filariasis transmission was interrupted in several health districts. Transmission assessment surveys showed a significant reduction of immunoparasitological indicators during program implementation. However, the country had to make efforts to reach the WHO target by 2020.