Bancroftian filariasis in Kwale district, Kenya

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in an area designated for filariasis control trial. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Three villages in Kinango location, Kwale district, Coast Province , Kenya, Subjects/participants: Oral informed consent to participate was obtained fr om adults and parents or guardians of children below fifteen years of age. Main outcome measures: Microfilaraemia prevalences, microfilarial densities and clinical manifestations. Results: The overall prevalence of microfilaraemia in the population was 16 .4%. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was age-dependent and the overall mi crofilarial density (MFD) was 69.4 mf/ml (geometric mean) and significantly higher in males (95.8 mf/ml) than in females (48.6 mf/ml) (p < 0.05), The prevalence of clinical signs of infection was also age-dependent with eleph antiasis being significantly higher in females (2.3%) than in males (0.9%) (p < 0.05), Among the males, the major clinical manifestation was hydrocele (10.4%), Conclusion: These findings show high prevalence of bancroftian filariasis i n Kwale district and warrant similar studies followed by implementation of intervention measures to reduce transmission in all areas of endemicity in the Coast Province.