Mtunguja Mussa, Mushi Vivian, Silvestri Valeria, Palilo Hoseenu, John Winfrida, Yangaza Yonah Eliud, Tarimo Donath
Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
IJID Reg. 2023 Mar 5;7:116-123. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.03.001. eCollection 2023 Jun.
To investigate the prevalence, intensity, clinical aspects and factors associated with tungiasis infection among primary school children in Northeastern Tanzania.
A quantitative school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 primary school children. Participants were assessed through clinical examination to look for embedded 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 <0.05 taken to indicate significance.
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).
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.
调查坦桑尼亚东北部小学生中穿皮潜蚤感染的患病率、感染强度、临床特征及相关因素。
对401名小学生开展了一项基于学校的定量横断面研究。通过临床检查评估参与者的手部、足部、手臂和腿部是否有穿皮潜蚤寄生。使用结构化问卷询问与穿皮潜蚤感染相关的因素。采用描述性统计、卡方检验和逻辑回归分析数据，以P<0.05表示有统计学意义。
穿皮潜蚤感染的总体患病率为21.2%。在85名感染穿皮潜蚤的儿童中，54名（63.5%，95%置信区间[CI]53.1 - 74.1）为轻度感染，25名（29.4%，95%CI 19.0 - 39.6）为中度感染，6名（7.1%，95%CI 1.2 - 12.9）为重度感染。中等水平的知识与穿皮潜蚤感染的高几率显著相关[调整优势比（AOR）3.16，95%CI 1.50 - 6.67]，而在家中不养狗/猫是一个保护因素（AOR 0.47，95%CI 0.25 - 0.89）。
在小学生中观察到穿皮潜蚤感染的患病率中等，宿主、寄生虫和环境相关因素对其有促进作用。学校需要开展健康教育项目，鼓励使用合适的鞋类（封闭式鞋子）、使用当地可得的驱虫剂（椰子油）、对家庭进行熏蒸以及用杀虫剂给狗/猫洗澡。
