Abstract
BackgroundTungiasis is an ectoparasitic infestation, which still has public health importance in deprived populations of developing countries. Data on the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis is rare in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis among children in Wensho district, southern Ethiopia.MethodsFrom February to May 2016, we conducted a community-based cross-sectional study on 366 children 5–14 years old. Data about the presence and severity of tungiasis were obtained through inspection and data on risk factors were collected through interviews of parents/guardians of the children using structured questionnaire and through observation of the housing environment using structured checklist.ResultsTwo hundred fifteen (58.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 53.7%, 63.8%) of the 366 children were infested with Tunga penetrans. Most lesions were localized in the feet and the distribution of the disease by sex was similar (57.4% among males and 60.3% among females). Children of illiterate mothers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.35, 9.73) and children whose mothers have attended only primary education (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.06, 6.97), children from cat owning households (AOR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.19, 20.60) and children who occasionally use footwear (AOR: 7.42, 95% CI: 4.29, 12.83) and those who never use footwear (AOR: 12.55, 95% CI: 3.38, 46.58) had a significantly higher odds of tungiasis infestation.ConclusionTungiasis is an important public health problem with considerable morbidity among children in Wensho. Hence, implementation of tungiasis prevention strategies such as promoting shoes wearing, provision of health education, fumigating the residential houses and applying insecticides on pets are recommended.
Highlights
Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic infestation, which still has public health importance in deprived populations of developing countries
Two hundred and fifteen of the 366 children were found to have tungiasis, making the prevalence of tungiasis among children in Wensho to be 58.7%
The prevalence of 58.7% found by the current study is much higher than the prevalence rate of 1.2% previously reported from a national survey in Ethiopia [10], 34.7% reported from Yirgacheffe district in southern Ethiopia and 1.6% reported from Brazil [14]
Summary
Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic infestation, which still has public health importance in deprived populations of developing countries. Data on the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis is rare in Ethiopia. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis among children in Wensho district, southern Ethiopia. An infestation caused by Tunga penetrans (sand flea or jigger flea), is common in poor communities of the tropical and subtropical part of the world [1]. Ulceration and fibrosis, and though rarely, death might occur in case of profound infestation [8]. Topical application of dimeticones of low viscosity can execute entrenched sand fleas effectively [9]. As a sub-Saharan African country, though infestation is common in Ethiopia, published data on the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis are scant; only a
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
