ABSTRACT
Lymphatic filariasis is a global Public Health problem with eighty-three countries
endemic for the disease. There are approximately 1.1 billion people at risk for contracting
it and 120 million people are infected world- wide. The disease is the second most
common vector borne parasitic disease after malaria. It is also the second most common
cause of long term disability after mental illness. Plateau state Nigeria, with a population
of about 3 million people has 17 Local Government areas that are all endemic for the
disease. The carter centre established a lymphatic filariasis elimination programme
covering the 17 LGAs in 2000. This involves mass drug administration with
invermectin/albendazole, vector control, morbidity management and health education.
The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and preventive
practices related to the treatment and prevention of lymphatic filariasis among the adult
residents of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The specific
objectives included; Assessment of the knowledge of the people regarding the cause,
transmission, clinical presentation and prevention of lymphatic filariasis. The study was a
descriptive cross-sectional one. The study has shown that most of the residents are
knowledgeable about lymphatic filariasis. More than half of the respondents knew that
mosquitoes transmit the disease and majority of them know the clinical presentation,
prevention and treatment of the disease. Information about L.F and MDA was received
mainly from health personnel. There was a high treatment coverage (82.45%) mostly
achieved through house to house distribution and a 95 % compliance .However, there was
a low ownership and utilization of insecticide treated bed nets. There is need to
strengthen health education and the distribution mechanism. The importance of daily
usage of ITNs must be heightened through community based education campaigns.