Researchers looked at how well mass drug administration worked to stop lymphatic filariasis in Nepal. They studied 7,343 individuals aged 20 or older across six endemic districts. The program used three medicines: ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole. Nine months after the treatment rounds, the team checked for signs of infection.
The results showed that nine out of 12 evaluation units reached the World Health Organization goal of less than 1% infection. However, three evaluation units still had infection rates at or above 1% in at least one site. This means transmission continues in those specific areas.
The study also found that women and younger people were more likely to take the medicine. Living near a border or working in agriculture or as a housewife was linked to lower medicine uptake. Because this was a survey, it shows links between factors and infection but does not prove that one thing caused another. Readers should understand that while progress was made, full elimination requires better coverage in the remaining areas.