Assessment of factors influencing jigger infestation in Households with primary school going pupils in Karungu, Migori county, Kenya

Abstract

Jigger infestation is one of the parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases that is caused by Tunga penetrans also known as Tungiasis. This causes debility in resource-limited countries such as Kenya. This infestation is endemic in over 88 countries worldwide Kenya being one of them. Approximately 2.68 million people are infested with jigger in Kenya, of which 56% are school going pupils. In Karungu Division, Migori County, jigger infestation is endemic among school going pupils where its prevalence and associated factors have not been intensely studied. The main objective of the study was to assess factors associated with jigger infestation in households with primary school-going pupils in Karungu Division. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the prevalence, the cultural beliefs associated with jigger infestation; to determine the health-seeking behaviour associated with jigger infestation; and hygiene and sanitation practices associated with jigger infestation. A cross sectional study design was conducted; stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 383 householdheads with primary school-going children as determined by Israel et al (2009). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Jigger infestation prevalence rate was 33.2% and the most affected age of pupils was 6-12 years. Nearly a half 48.8% of those infested by jigger had a cultural belief that jigger infestation is caused by dirt while 31.5% perceived jigger to be harmful. Over 50% of the respondents acknowledged that 1-2 children in the households were infested. 62.4% reported removing jigger using thorns and 11.7% reported the use of separation of individuaduals who were jigger infested. Risk factors associated with occurrence of Tungiasis at multivariate analysis included living in mud walled house (AOR=3.4; 95%CI, 1.0 – 11.4; P<0.05); wearing open shoes (AOR= 1.8; 95%, 1.0 – 3.2; P<0.05); walking bear footed (AOR=8.1; 95%CI, 3.9 – 16.7; P<0.001); grazing animals within the compound (AOR=0.6; 95%CI, 0.40.9<0.05); and living in lower wealth quintile index (AOR=1.8; 95%CI, 1.1 – 2.8; p= 019). Overall, younger children were at a greater risk and both economic and cultural factors are important risk factors. An integrated approach addressing these factors needs to be designed and implemented by all stakeholders.