Effect of lymphatic filariasis on school children
Ramaiah, K.D.; Vijay Kumar, K.N.
Acta Tropica 76(2): 197-199
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-706X PMID: 10936580 DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(00)00102-9Document Number: 252638
A total of 506 people with chronic manifestations of filariasis were detected in 2 villages near Pondicherry in South India . They included 28 cases aged <20 years. 17 of these 28 were affected by acute and/or chronic disease while they were in school and 11 after they had completed or discontinued their education. Of these 17 (16 boys and 1 girl), 14 were affected by hydrocele and 2 with slight oedema of the lower limbs and one with frequent episodes of only acute adenolymphangitis (ADL). Five of the 14 boys affected with hydrocele and one with lymphoedema also reported occurrences of ADL episodes. These 17 subjects were aged 10-15 years. Interviews were conducted with them to qualitatively assess the impact of the disease on their education. Of the 7 boys who reported ADL, all felt that the disease impaired their performance in studies. The frequency of ADL episodes reported was 2-12 per year and loss of attendance ranged from 2 to 3 days per episode. The most common complaint among pupils with hydrocele was pain in the scrotum. The pain and inconvenience also forced some of the pupils from participating in extra-curricular activities.
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