Determining the Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Leishmaniasis among Residents of Rural Marigat Sub-County, Baringo County- Kenya | Chapter 15 | Current Overview on Disease and Health Research Vol. 1

Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis are the two main types of the parasitic and vector-borne illness leishmaniasis, which has an annual prevalence of 0.95 and 0.3 million cases worldwide, respectively. In Kenya's Baringo County, the study examined the risk variables associated with leishmaniasis and its prevalence. A mixed method analytical cross-sectional study design was employed by the researchers. 333 household heads from Kenya's Baringo County were enlisted for the study. Researchers used multistage sample techniques and purposeful sampling to recruit study participants. 96 out of 333 participants reported having leishmaniasis, making the frequency of the disease 28.8%. Living in a temporary home was linked to an increased risk of getting leishmaniasis (OR = 5, 95 percent CI 2.64 - 9.44), Living below the poverty line (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 0.23-0.78), having only completed elementary school (OR = 8.6, 95% CI 0.14-0.97), having termite hills (OR = 7.6, 95% CI 0.60-0.97), and having soil cracks (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 0.16-0.50). Wearing long sleeves after sunset (OR = 2.5, 95 percent CI 0.24 - 0.84), using a bed net (OR = 3.5, 95 percent CI 1.90 - 6.57), and using a repellant (OR = 3.7, 95 percent CI 1.58 - 8.58) were all linked to a lower risk of contracting leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis was shown to be made worse in the study area by illiteracy, living in substandard housing, being homeless, termite hills, and soil fractures close to the residential area. The government should work with development partners to enhance people's livelihoods, and individuals should get rid of any dormant termite mounds that are close to their homes.

Author (s) Details:

Martin Philipo Gwandi,
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.

Alfred Owino Odongo,
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.

Peter G. Kirira,
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.

Esleen Jeruto,
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, Kenya.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CODHR-V1/article/view/7437