Prevalence and risk factors associated with free-living Tunga fleas in selected villages of Magogo sub- county, Kamuli district

Abstract

Fleas have plagued the human race for thousands of years, and transmit pathogens to humans, and domestic animals. This study was intended to determine the prevalence, distribution, and documentation of the risk factors associated with the free-living Tunga flea in the Magogo sub county. The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive. The study population consisted of 36 households. Data were collected using a questionnaire, observational checklist, and trapping fleas using a Kilonzo trap. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software and the Graph Pad Prism software version 5.02 for Windows. Ctenocephalides felis was the most dominant flea species with a prevalence of 51.08% followed by Ctenocephalides canis with 46.94%, Echidnophaga gallinacea with 1.90%, and the least species was Tunga penetrans with 0.09%. The most common control methods used were cow dung floor smearing, and commercial insecticide application each one representing 20 (55.56%) and 8(22.21%) respectively. However, 6 (16.67%) of the respondents were not using any definitive control procedure. The most prominent risk factor associated with flea infestation was poverty 13 (36.11%), followed by poor hygiene and sanitation 7 (19.44%) and the least was witchcraft and sharing of living quarters with domestic animals each one comprised of 5 (13.89%). The main houses were the principal sites with the abundant numbers of fleas 594 (51.16%) followed by the animal houses 310 (26.70%) yet the kitchens had 240 (20.67%) and the least was the latrines with 17 (1.46%). The major environmental factors associated with flea infestation included the floors of the residences which were either loose dust 15 (41.67%), soil - cow dung-ash smear 7 (19.44%), cement plaster 9 (25%), mud smear 5 (13.89%). The brick wall surfaces of the residential houses were either not plastered 17 (42.22%), or comprised mud smear 10 (27.78%), soil-cow dung ash smear 6(16.67%), and cement plaster 3 (8.33%).