Background
Lymphatic filariasis remains a major public health challenge across many parts of Asia, where environmental, socioeconomic, behavioral, and programmatic factors converge to sustain transmission. Understanding the risk factors for lymphatic filariasis supports in guiding targeted interventions, including enhancing mass drug administration (MDA), strengthening vector control, and creating educational initiatives for the community. This focused strategy can increase the efficacy and efficiency of LF elimination initiatives in various Asian contexts.
Methods
This review was conducted with available literature to assess risk factors of lymphatic filariasis in Asia in line with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Springer Nature Link databases and included 12,402 original English-language studies published up to January 2025. A total of forty four journal articles containing factors associated with lymphatic filariasis in different microscopic and clinical diagnostic stages, including over 284,908 participants were finally assessed for this review.
Results
Circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was consistently higher among males and older individuals, particularly in low-elevation areas and densely populated households in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Factors related to occupation and socioeconomic status, such as outdoor employment, low income, and poorly constructed housing, were associated with a greater risk of infection in Malaysia and Indonesia. Similar patterns were noted for microfilaremia, with male gender, advancing age, and poorly constructed housing identified as significant predictors in various studies conducted in India and Indonesia. Other contributing factors included low educational attainment, inadequate sanitation, inconsistent use of bed nets, proximity to drainage systems, and migration status in Asia.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that the transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Asia is influenced by a combination of demographic, social, and environmental elements. This underscores the necessity for comprehensive vector control and community-oriented initiatives that address both the health and social dimensions of the disease.
BT - BMC Infectious Diseases DA - 12/2025 DO - 10.1186/s12879-025-12158-w IS - 1 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Background
Lymphatic filariasis remains a major public health challenge across many parts of Asia, where environmental, socioeconomic, behavioral, and programmatic factors converge to sustain transmission. Understanding the risk factors for lymphatic filariasis supports in guiding targeted interventions, including enhancing mass drug administration (MDA), strengthening vector control, and creating educational initiatives for the community. This focused strategy can increase the efficacy and efficiency of LF elimination initiatives in various Asian contexts.
Methods
This review was conducted with available literature to assess risk factors of lymphatic filariasis in Asia in line with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Springer Nature Link databases and included 12,402 original English-language studies published up to January 2025. A total of forty four journal articles containing factors associated with lymphatic filariasis in different microscopic and clinical diagnostic stages, including over 284,908 participants were finally assessed for this review.
Results
Circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was consistently higher among males and older individuals, particularly in low-elevation areas and densely populated households in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Factors related to occupation and socioeconomic status, such as outdoor employment, low income, and poorly constructed housing, were associated with a greater risk of infection in Malaysia and Indonesia. Similar patterns were noted for microfilaremia, with male gender, advancing age, and poorly constructed housing identified as significant predictors in various studies conducted in India and Indonesia. Other contributing factors included low educational attainment, inadequate sanitation, inconsistent use of bed nets, proximity to drainage systems, and migration status in Asia.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that the transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Asia is influenced by a combination of demographic, social, and environmental elements. This underscores the necessity for comprehensive vector control and community-oriented initiatives that address both the health and social dimensions of the disease.
PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC PY - 2025 SP - 1 EP - 11 T2 - BMC Infectious Diseases TI - Risk factors of lymphatic filariasis in Asia: a systematic review UR - https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12879-025-12158-w.pdf VL - 25 SN - 1471-2334 ER -