Assessment of the Role Played by Housing Conditions in Exacerbating Tungiasis in Kandara Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Jigger infestation, also referred to as Tungiasis, is a skin health problem usually associated with poor people. It is caused by penetration of female jigger flea, Tunga penetrans into the skin of a disposed host and, the consequent hypertrophy of the parasite. The disease is zoonotic in nature. The objective of this survey was to assess the role that housing conditions play in aggravating tungiasis in Kandara Sub-County of Murang’a County. This was a 50:50 case-control survey involving 776 participants. The participants filled questionnaires with the assistance of community health extension workers. Univariate regression analysis was conducted between case and control variables. Variables showing significant differences were then analyzed in a multivariate regression to identify those that were independent in abetting jigger problem. The results showed that the infested participants were 1.6 times more likely to live in earthen houses while the floors of their houses were 4.2 times more likely to be earthen when compared to the control. About 54% of these house floors were also cracked and dusty while 49 % of them had cracked rough walls. There was no single parameter that stood out as an independent variable. The findings of the study demonstrated a high relationship between dilapidated housing and jigger infestation in Kandara Sub- County. These results will enable efficacious interventional measures to ultimately control jigger infestation.