The socio-economic impact of lymphatic filariasis was investigated in a rural community in northern Ghana, as part of a multi-country study. The entire community was followed up for a period of one full calendar year, to document episodes of acute adenolymphangitis (ADL), treatment seeking and the cost of treatment. Cases of chronic filarial disease identified at the start of the study were also visited ever 3 months to monitor treatment seeking and the costs of treatment. The subjects, who were mainly subsistence farmers, were found to be materially very poor. The incidence of ADL, which lasted an average of 5 days, was found to be very high. Most of those affected were unable to perform their normal activities for much of the ADL episode. In general, most subjects with long-standing chronic disease, such as elephantiasis of the leg and hydroceles, tended not to seek treatment except when there was superimposed ADL. Some aspects of treatment seeking, the cost of treatment, the burden of the disease on the community, and the public-health implications are discussed.
