Assessment of tungiasis management knowledge in Kandara sub county Mukabana

Abstract

Tungiasis (Jigger infection) is caused by penetration of female sand flea into the epidermis of the predisposed animal and the subsequent hypertrophy of the parasite. The objective of this study was to assess tungiasis management knowledge among the residents of Kandara sub-county in central. This was un-matched case-control study involving 776 individuals (388 cases & 388 control). Questionnaires were, administered among the participant to assess social demographic factors and tungiasis management knowledge. Univariate logistic regression was first applied to analyze the data. Odds ratio together with their CI and P- values were determined. All the variables that depicted significant differences between case and control were further analyzed in a multivariate logistic regression to establish which among them were independent. The case group was 2.1 times likely to state that fleas and dirt were the cause of tungiasis when compared to the control (2.1; 95%CI: 1.2-4.0; P< .001). There was generally very poor knowledge among the case individuals on how tungiasis is spread, prevented and treated (P< .001 in each). The study portrayed that there is poor knowledge on how to handle and manage tungiasis among Kandara residents.