Lymphatic filariasis LF is a disease of the poor that is prevalent in 73 tropical and sub-tropical countries.
LF is caused by three species of filarial wormsβ Wuchereria bancrofti , Brugia malayi and B. People affected by the disease suffer from disability, stigma and associated social and economic consequences. Marginalized people, particularly those living in areas with poor sanitation and housing conditions are more vulnerable and more affected by the disease. Estimates made in indicated that million people were infected with LF at that time, 43 million of them having the clinical manifestations principally lymphedema and hydrocele of chronic LF disease 1.
In Tanzania, with an estimated 34 million people at risk and 6 million people affected 2 , a National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme NLFEP was established and began operations in focusing mainly on preventive chemotherapy using mass drug administration MDA of ivermectin and albendazole. Following six rounds of MDA, there is evidence to suggest considerable decrease in all the measured indices of LF transmission and human infection 3 ; however, cut-off levels required to interrupt transmission have not been attained even after 8 years of MDA in Tanga 4.
Currently, few accurate data exist on the global LF morbidity burden. Even in developed countries Europe and the US estimating the population burden of lymphedema and hydrocele is considered difficult due to complex and variable pathology and current prevalence estimates are considered likely underestimates.
This mobile phone-based survey aimed to estimate prevalence of hydrocele and lymphedema in Mtwara Municipal Council. The survey targeted adult mobile phone users in Mtwara Municipal Council. The study was a cross-sectional mobile phone-based survey. The survey system was set-up to automatically send surveys until exactly surveys were completed and submitted, which was estimated to be achievable over the course of one week.
