| dc.description.abstract | Jigger flea, also known as sand flea, Chigoe or Tunga penetrans is an
ecto-parasite which causes Tungiasis parasitic condition of humans and
animals. The flea affects many impoverished populations living in sub-
Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and South America. Hundreds of millions
of people are at risk of infection in more than 70 nations, mostly in
developing countries. The importance of Tunga infestation is localization
in the foot causing serious difficulty in walking, reducing the infected
person’s ability to work normally. In endemic areas, prevalence ranges
from 15-40% [1].
Jigger transmission from one person to another is not possible but it
occurs through the insanitary environment. The jigger flea causes debility
in resource-poor communities of developing countries. The flea survives
best in sandy and dusty environments. Poverty and powerlessness
or inability to do anything about it is the greatest cause of ill health
among communities. Tungiasis occurs in resource poor countries in
the Caribbean, South America and Africa. In some communities, the
prevalence may be as high as 50% in the general population [2].
Tungiasis is usually considered an entomologic nuisance and does not
receive much attention and therefore remains an important public health
problem for the poor. It is a problem neglected by those affected, the
medical profession and the scientific community [3].
Household status determines the health conditions of the occupants and
home hygiene is important in order to control pests and provide pleasant
atmosphere to the household members [4]. Jigger menace has also led
to school dropout and it is estimate that over 2 million people in Kenya
need assistance in relation to jigger menace [5]. The risk of secondary
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Pan African Medical Journal. 2012;13(Supp 1):7
| Bernard Kimani et al.
infection is high. Tetanus is a common secondary infection that has
reported associations with death [6].
Determinants of health include healthy human activities (practices,
knowledge and attitude) as well as environmental determinants that
create conditions which impact on the epidemiological pattern of these
diseases and conditions. These determinants also increase susceptibility
to environmental factors leading to more breeding sites for the vectors
and increase the risk of jigger transmission [7].
If health workers are to deal effectively with ill community health, they
need to understand their practices, ignorance, poverty and attitudes. They
need to understand their behaviour and the surrounding environment
in which people live [6]. Published information on knowledge, attitude
and practices as well as jigger situation is scanty and fragmented in
Kenya despite having a well focused National Health policies and reform
agenda; consequently, there has not been a breakthrough in improving
the situation of households entrapped in vicious cycle of poverty and ill
health. This study therefore sought to elucidate the status of knowledge,
attitude and practices on jigger infestation in a rural Kenyan setting | en |
