Dataset Information

Tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania: prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and associated factors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and factors associated with tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania.

Methods

A quantitative school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 primary school children. Participants were assessed through clinical examination to look for embedded Tunga penetrans in their hands, feet, arms and legs. A structured questionnaire was used to enquire about factors associated with tungiasis infection. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test and logistic regression, with p<0.05 taken to indicate significance.

Results

The overall prevalence of tungiasis infection was 21.2%. Of the 85 tungiasis-infested children, 54 [63.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 53.1-74.1] had mild infection, 25 (29.4%, 95% CI 19.0-39.6) had moderate infection, and six (7.1%, 95% CI 1.2-12.9) had heavy infection. A moderate level of knowledge was significantly associated with high odds of tungiasis infection [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.16, 95% CI 1.50-6.67], while not keeping a dog/cat at home was a protective factor (AOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25-0.89).

Conclusions

Moderate prevalence of tungiasis infection was observed among primary school children favoured by factors related to the host, parasitic agent and environment. There is a need for a health education programme in schools encouraging use of appropriate footwear (closed shoes), use of locally accessible repellents (coconut oil), fumigation of households, and washing dogs/cats with insecticides.

SUBMITTER: Mtunguja M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10063396 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania: prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and associated factors.

Mtunguja Mussa M Mushi Vivian V Silvestri Valeria V Palilo Hoseenu H John Winfrida W Yangaza Yonah Eliud YE Tarimo Donath D

IJID regions 20230305

<h4>Objective</h4>To investigate the prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and factors associated with tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania.<h4>Methods</h4>A quantitative school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 primary school children. Participants were assessed through clinical examination to look for embedded <i>Tunga penetrans</i> in their hands, feet, arms and legs. A structured questionnaire was used to enquire about factors associa ...[more]

PMID: 37009573

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Dataset Information

Tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania: prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and associated factors.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania: prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and associated factors.

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