Microfilarial Infection Among Patients Attending Out Patients Department at Luweero Health Centre IV Luweero District.

Abstract

Introduction: Filariasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the world though its effects have a huge toll on the social and economic wellbeing of the people mostly living in the tropical and developing countries Uganda inclusive. The disease often clinically manifests as malaria, a febrile parasitic infection. With the increasing incidences of filarial worm infections in Luwero health centre IV, proper speciation is required in the diagnosis routine since the different microfilaria species follow a different treatment regimen. Objective: The study was conducted between June and August 2015 with the aim of establishing the prevalence and the most often encountered microfilaria species among patients attending out patients department at Luweero health center IV. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional using qualitative research method. Diagnosis followed Modified Mazzot and Knotts lysed concentration technique. Socio demographic data was collected using interview schedule and a microscope was used to examine the blood samples from 100 clients. The data was entered and summarized using Microsoft excel software package. Results: 100 participants were enrolled in the study, 70% (n=70) were females and 30% (n=30) were males. A prevalence of 10% (n=10) was observed with microfilaria. Of the positive samples only 30% were males while 70% were females. The study also established that the most and the only prevalent species of microfilaria to be Mansonella perstans. The most affected age group was between 41-50 years (4%) and the least was 1-20 years (0%).The infection was also more pronounced in farmers (70%) and participants who had not received formal education (70%). Conclusion: Luwero health centre IV is indeed prone to microfilaria infection with 1 in every 10 attendants infected (10%). Noteworthy is that fact that the most encountered specie is M. perstans, a species originally considered non pathogenic but currently among the pathogenic microfilariae. Female farmers who are un educated within the age of 41-50 are more prone to the infection. Recommendations: The district Health team of Luweero should collaborate with key stake holders and development partners to conduct Health Education on the cause, transmission and prevention of microfilaria infections especially M. perstans, vector control officers should be facilitated to conduct a survey and implement strategies in the control of culicoides (midges) which are vectors for M. perstans and community surveys should be planned and conducted to ascertain the prevalence because this study was across-sectional based in a health facility set up and therefore, not a true representative of the disease burden with in the whole district.