The Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Tungiasis Infestations in Uganda: Implications for Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Disease Control

Moses Adriko

A chapter in Zoonosis of Public Health Interest from IntechOpen

Abstract: Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic inflammatory tropical skin disease affecting the world's poorest people caused by a female flea called Tunga penetrans. It is potentially endemic in 88 countries worldwide, with an estimated community prevalence of 60%. The national prevalence is estimated at 50% with recent epidemics re-emergence dimensions in Uganda. The disease burden continues to escalate with high-school dropouts, absenteeism, and poor performance. This study was geared toward assessing the prevalence and risk factors in communities in Uganda. Overall, there is prevalence of 40.6 and 28% among households and individuals. Our findings further indicate prevalence of infection was the highest at household level compared to infected individuals observed; (Jinja; 73.3% vs. 50.0%), (Namutumba; 53.2% vs. 33.3%), (Iganga; 41.1% vs. 25.3%), (Bugiri; 24.4% vs. 27.1%), (Namayingo; 20.5% vs. 12.6%) and (Mayuge; 13.6% vs. 6.2%). Physical examinations revealed the most affected body parts were the toes (6.5%), sole (1.2%), and the heel (0.8%). The common method of prevention and treatment used is self-removal (49.4%), removal by a family member (32.7%), support from medical personnel (14.4%), and use of ointment (1.9%). The findings have implications for the prevention and control of Tungiasis as a public health concern in Uganda. This requires strengthened health education aimed at improved household sanitation and hygiene with community empowerment as a long-term measure.

Keywords: prevalence; risk factors; Tungiasis; Uganda; implications; control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/81960 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ito:pchaps:263015

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.104444

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from IntechOpen
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Slobodan Momcilovic ().