Evaluation of the Transmission Rate, the Mortality Rate, and the Level of Endemicity Due to Visceral Leishmaniasis at Marsabit County Referral Hospital

Abstract

The disease Visceral leishmaniasis is a tropical infection spread by female sandflies. This leishmaniasis affects the spleen, the liver, and bone marrow. Globally, between 0.7 million and 1 million cases of visceral leishmaniasis arise yearly. In Kenya, 4000 cases are reported yearly, while 5 million individuals are at risk of infection. If untreated, the visceral leishmaniasis death rate is more than 95%. The study aims to evaluate the mortality and the transmission rate among visceral leishmaniasis patients referred to the Marsabit County referral hospital. The study adopted a retrospective cohort design. The study used secondary data obtained from the Marsabit County referral hospital. The Susceptible, Infected, and Recovered (S.I.R) Model, was incorporated to evaluate the mortality rate, the transmission rate, and the level of endemicity. The findings revealed that the mortality rate, the transmission rate, and the level of endemicity were estimated at 13.19%, 13.67%, and 0.0141, respectively. In conclusion, the mortality rate increases as the transmission rate increase and there is a need for urgent responses from health personnel to reduce the transmission rate to reduce subsequent morbidity and mortality. The study recommended adopting the following measures; the mortality rate was 13.19%, and the prevalence of the disease was higher in males than among females which subsequently increases mortality among males therefore, there is a need to put more attention to males when creating awareness. The transmission rate was 13.67%, this rate can be reduced by reducing risk factors that are responsible for the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis. Creating awareness at the community level and seeking medication on time to reduce mortality from visceral leishmaniasis in Marsabit County.