Clinico Epidemiological Study of Human Leptospirosis in Hilly Area of South India-A Population Based Case Control Study

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease in the world affecting both animals and humans. Environmental, occupational, and sociocultural practices which vary from region to region favors the disease transmission in addition to lacunas in prompt diagnosis and treatment of cases. There are limited data on the seroprevalence of this neglected tropical disease in India. To assess the risk factors associated with Lepospirosis disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based case control study was conducted in Kodagu district of southern India from January 2022 to March 2022. Of the 74 confirmed cases during the year 2021, 70 cases and 140 age group and gender-matched controls participated in the study. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire containing details of sociodemographic, occupational, and environmental factors. The collected data were coded and exported to STATA (16.1) and analyzed by univariate and multivaiariate logistic regression to identify significant risk factors. RESULTS: Environmental factors such as flooding or collection of water near the house (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 4.9, confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-17.0), proximity to an open sewer (aOR = 4.9, CI: 1.2-19.1) and occupational factors such as presence of skin cuts or abrasion during work (aOR = 4, CI: 1.4-11.6), direct contact with mud or water during work (aOR = 9.7, CI: 3.3-27.7), animal farming (aOR = 3.4, CI: 1.0-11.6), presence of rodents in the house (aOR = 4, CI: 1.2-12.6), and presence of rodent habitats like grain storage area (aOR = 3.5, CI: 1.1-11.0) were significantly associated with leptospirosis. CONCLUSION: Leptospirosis poses a potential public health problem in the district. Interventions like prompt diagnosis and treatment, sensitization programs, and rodent control measures will significantly control this neglected tropical disease.