Abstract:
Background: Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by penetration of the female sand flea Tunga
penetrans, also called jigger flea, into the epidermis of its host. It is highly prevalent where people live in
extreme poverty, occurring in many Latin American and African countries. In Kenya it is endemic in
several areas where its prevalence and associated factors have not been intensely studied. Objectives: This
study was aimed at determining the prevalence of tungiasis, establishing factors associated with tungiasis
among residents of Kipkelion West Sub-county and establishing health seeking behavior among those
that were found to be infested.
Material and Methods: A total of 428 randomly selected households were visited. Pretested
questionnaires were administered to household heads and household members were examined for the
presence of tungiasis. The level of statistical significance was set at P- value <0.05. Binary logistic
regression was performed to determine the independent factors associated with tungiasis.
Results: The prevalence of Tungiasis was (129)30.1%. Factors that were independently associated with
occurrence of tungiasis included: living in close proximity to domestic animals [AOR=6.58; 95%CI:3.42-
12.65; P<0.001], staying barefoot [AOR=9.94; 95% CI: 4.18-23.61; P<0.001], wearing slippers
outdoors,[AOR=6.45; 95% CI: 2.78-14.98; P<0.001], presence of waste products near residential
buildings [AOR=3.73; 95% CI: 2.01-6.91; P<0.001], living in houses with cracks on the walls
[AOR=6.92; 95% CI: 3.25-14.70; P<0.001], rearing chicken in the main house [AOR=8; 95% CI: 2.74-
23.33; P<0.001], rearing free range chicken [AOR=6.59; 95% CI: 1.37-31.67; P<0.001] and presence of
rats in the compound [AOR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.09-4.36; P=0.028]. None of those infested sought
healthcare.
Conclusion: An integrated approach addressing factors that were established to be significant in
occurrence of Tungiasis in the study area needs to be designed and implemented by an interdisciplinary
team (that is the populace, community leaders, health professionals, non-governmental institutions and
policy makers).
