Table 1.
Timeline of PacELF events, surveys, and MDA in Fiji 1997–2007
| Year | Events | Surveys | MDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 |
Baseline (A) surveys 1997–2001: Rotuma (N = 97) |
||
| 1998 | |||
| 1999 | |||
| 2000 |
National Plan of Action finalized. National Committee formed. National Policy developed. Nationwide education and awareness campaign on MDA and LF. |
Baseline (A) survey 1997–2001 continued: Mapping survey (by ICT) to confirm endemic LF status in Fiji and the need for MDA: convenience sampling of 5893 people in > 45 sites across Fiji |
|
| 2001 | July 2001—PacELF home office established at the Fiji Centre for Communicable Disease Control in Tamavua | ||
| 2002 | Public health nurses trained; health promotion material distributed and campaign for MDA underway | Continued village surveys pre-MDA: convenience testing (by ICT and Mf) in 3214 persons of all ages in 48 villages. All positive cases were treated. | MDA1 |
| 2003 | Full-time PacELF coordinator is established. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire administered by health professionals to MDA participants over 16. | Follow-up testing and treatment of positive cases. | MDA2 |
| 2004 | MDA promotional material distribution. | Sentinel site (B) and spot check surveys: convenience testing (by ICT) in persons of all ages, in 14 villages; all positive cases treated. | MDA3 |
| 2005 |
Advocacy and awareness campaign managed by specially appointed awareness committee. Bednet study in Rewa district. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire administered by health professionals to MDA participants over 16. Commencement of radio and television MDA promotional broadcasts in Fijian, Hindi, and English. |
Sentinel site (B) and spot check surveys: convenience testing (by ICT) in persons of all ages in 46 villages; all positive cases treated. | MDA4 |
| 2006 |
Global Alliance meeting in Fiji—Theme of “Global Elimination of LF: Successes and Challenges.” Program review including review of the MDA coverage results and communication strategy. |
Follow-up: testing (by ICT) and treatment of positive cases. Coverage survey administered in Northern Division to assess MDA 5. |
MDA5 |
| 2007 | For the purpose of future LF elimination planning, identifying at-risk areas and presenting data, Fiji program is reorganized into 4 divisions—Eastern, Northern, Western, and Central. | Stop-MDA survey: ICT and Mf of all ages (C Survey) in 6745 people in 65 villages. Results > 1% positive in all but Western Division. | No MDA |