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. 2007 Dec 5;1(3):e87.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000087.

Risk factors for tungiasis in Nigeria: identification of targets for effective intervention

Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko  1 , Liana Ariza, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Ofoezie, Jörg Heukelbach
Affiliations

Risk factors for tungiasis in Nigeria: identification of targets for effective intervention

Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the flea Tunga penetrans) affects resource-poor communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalences in endemic areas are high, and severe pathology occurs commonly. However, risk factors for infestation have never been assessed in Africa.

Methods and findings: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erekiti, a rural community in Lagos State (Nigeria), where tungiasis is endemic. Individuals were examined clinically for the presence of tungiasis, and a questionnaire was applied. Data from 643 individuals (86.6% of the target population) were analyzed; 252 (42.5%) were infested with T. penetrans. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of pigs on the compounds (adjusted odds ratio = 17.98; 95% confidence interval: 5.55-58.23), sand or clay floor inside houses (9.33; 5.06-17.19), and having the common resting place outside the house (7.14; 4.0-14.29) were the most important risk factors identified. The regular use of closed footwear (0.34; 0.18-0.62) and the use of insecticides indoors (0.2; 0.05-0.83) were protective against infestation. The population attributable fractions associated with tungiasis were: sand or clay floor inside the house (73.7%), resting usually outside the house (65.5%), no regular use of closed footwear (51.1%), and pigs on the compound (37.9%).

Conclusion: The presence of tungiasis in Erekiti is determined to an important extent by a limited number of modifiable variables. Effective and sustainable intervention measures addressing these factors need to be implemented in this and other West African communities with high disease burden.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence of tungiasis stratified by age group and severity of infestation.
Figure 2
Figure 2. A single tungiasis lesion on the finger of a 7-year-old boy from Brazil, with surrounding erythema.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Multiple lesions on the left heel of a 13 year-old Brazilian girl.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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