Artikel
Tungiasis (jigger flea infestation) in Rural Kenya: prevalence and risk factors
Tungiasis (Sandfloherkrankung) im ländlichen Kenia: Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren
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Veröffentlicht: | 2. Juni 2010 |
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Objectives: To describe the prevalence of tungiasis (jigger flea infestation) and associated risk factors in a sentinel group (children 5–12 years of age) in rural Central Kenya.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Murang'a South district during high transmission season (dry season, August–September 2009). A total of 385 randomly selected households was visited. Children were examined for the presence of tungiasis, and a questionnaire was administered to collect demographic, behavioral and environmental data.
Results: Prevalence of tungiasis was 57% (218/385; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 51.7%–61.6%). Itching (89.1%) was the most common associated symptom, followed by pain upon pressure (67.3%), sleep disturbance (58.2%) and walking difficulties (53%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following independent factors were associated with tungiasis: living in a house with earthen floor (adjusted OR=3.84; 95% CI: 2.09–7.06), walking barefooted (3.28; 1.78–6.04), having a common resting place outside the house (2.36; 1.01–5.51), and presence of rats on the compound (1.69; 1.03–2.75).
Conclusions: Tungiasis is highly endemic in rural Central Kenya and causes considerable morbidity. The disease is associated with poverty. Modifiable risk factors were identified that may be targets for sustainable and effective control measures.