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Assessment of the role played by domestic animals in jigger infection in Kandara sub-county, Kenya (case control study)

INTRODUCTION: tungiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by penetration of female sand flea, Tunga penetrans, into the skin of the susceptible animal and the consequent hypertrophy of the parasite. The objective of this study was to assess the association between domestic animals and jigger infection am...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Gitau, Anthony Kiragu, Oyieke, Florence Awino, Mukabana, Wolfgang Richard
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The African Field Epidemiology Network 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8498669/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34659604
http://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.39.231.25106
Descripción
Sumario:INTRODUCTION: tungiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by penetration of female sand flea, Tunga penetrans, into the skin of the susceptible animal and the consequent hypertrophy of the parasite. The objective of this study was to assess the association between domestic animals and jigger infection among the residents of Kandara sub-county in central Kenya. METHODS: this was a case-control study that involved 776 individuals. Half of this number entailed case group who were jigger infected while the other half was the control, composed of jigger free participants. Structured questionnaires were, administered among the heads of the households to which the participants belonged to gather information concerning the animals they kept. Univariate analysis was, applied. RESULTS: in this study, there were significant differences in age (P=0.008) between the two groups. Disparities in source of income (P<0.001) and level of education (P<0.001) came out as very significant factors in jigger infection. The case group was 10 times more likely to keep dogs than the control(9.6; 95% CI, 5.9-15.6). Case group was also 7 times more likely to rear chicken in comparison to the control (6.6; 95%, 4.2-10.4). The case group was 12 times more likely to let dogs loose in the compound in comparison to the control (12.1: 95%, 5.9-24.5). When compared to the control, this group was also 17 times more likely to keep chicken inside their houses (16.7: 95% CI, 6.8-35.9). Conclusion: there is a very high association between domestic animals and occurrence of tungiasis in Kandara sub-county.