ABSTRACT

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by infection with threadlike worms called Wuchereria bancrofti. There had been different methods of diagnosing Filariasis. The two major diagnosing method is the Filariasis Test strip and the Microscopy test. This project is to compare the efficiency between the Microscopy test and Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) Night blood sampling method collected between the hours of 10pm – 2am and Filariasis test strip is done same hours using 2 drop of blood and 1 drop of buffer solution and reading according to manufacturer’s prescription. Overall prevalence was 36 (90%) out of which 15 (62.5%) were males and 11 (68.75%) were females. Prevalence of infection increased with age across the stratified age group in increasing order (10 -20) years, (21 – 30) years, (31 – 40) years and dropped at (51 – 60) years and picked up again. There is no significant difference between age, sex and prevalence of infection. The microfilaria type observed in the study population is wuchereria balcrofti. The clinical signs observed in the study was lymphoedma (Elephantiasis of the leg) Elephantiasis of the scrotum (hydrocele). There is need for intervention strategy for elimination and control of parasite and health education to sensitize cause of disease. The results show that microscopy is not enough for diagnosing Lymphatic filariasis.