Publications by authors named "R Dhanalakshmi"

Background: Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with triple-drug regimen (Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole- IDA), recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) was introduced in India in 2018, as an alternate strategy to two drug regimens (Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole- DA), for accelerating lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination. By December 2023, IDA-MDA has been implemented in 63 LF endemic districts in India. The currently followed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) guidelines for DA may not be suitable to this new strategy.

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Background: India is moving towards the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination goal in 2027. Documentation on LF transmission status in the non-endemic and unsurveyed areas is crucial for WHO to certify that LF has been eliminated as a public health problem in the country. Appropriate sampling strategy is necessary to determine LF transmission status in the areas not under mass drug administration (MDA).

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Background Dengue, a neglected tropical disease, is becoming a more significant global health concern due to factors such as unplanned urbanization, poor sanitation, and improper protective measures. Dengue transmission is intricately linked to the knowledge, perspectives, and practices, and sustainable vector control activities in preventing dengue transmission. We aimed to develop a training plan and implementation strategy for Dengue Source Reduction (DSR) activities for building capacity in medical colleges in Puducherry, India, to control vectors and prevent dengue.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluated the performance of the Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) method versus the WHO-recommended Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for detecting Wuchereria bancrofti in Karnataka, India, as part of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF).
  • A total of 1227 individuals aged 20 and older were tested with both methods during an epidemiological survey, and the results showed that QFAT detected 299 positives while FTS found 310 positives.
  • QFAT demonstrated high sensitivity (95.5%) and specificity (99.7%), and the results were nearly perfectly aligned with FTS, indicated by a strong Cohen
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Introduction Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease of global health concern, especially in tropical areas. , its vector, thrives in inadequate sanitation conditions. The role of sanitary workers is pivotal in dengue control and prevention efforts; hence, educating them is essential for enhancing their vector control awareness.

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