Retrospective Study of Antiretroviral Drug Associated Hepato Toxicity among Human Immune Deficiency Virus Infected Pregnant Women in Kisumu, Kenya.

Abstract

The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans) occurs in resource-poor communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Information on prevalence and risk factors for infestation is nonexistent in Kenya. To fill this gap, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in Murang’a South district, central Kenya. A total of 385 randomly selected households were visited. Pretested questionnaires were administered to household heads. The most vulnerable age group (5-12 years) was examined for the presence of tungiasis. The prevalence of tungiasis was 57% (95% confidence interval = 51.7%-61.6%), and slightly higher in males (59.2%) than in females (54.8%; P=0.4). Itching (89.1%) was the most common symptom, followed by pain upon pressure (67.3%), sleep disturbance (58.2%) and walking difficulties (53%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the highest chance for infestation was detected for individuals living in houses with an earthen floor (adjusted OR=3.84; 95% confidence interval: 2.09-7.06), followed by knowledge on treatment (3.56; 1.17- 10.84) having a common resting place (2.36; 1.01-5.51) and walking barefoot (3.28; 1.78-6.04). Tungiasis is highly endemic in rural central Kenya and associated with modifiable risk factors that may be used as targets for effective interventions.