The Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors For Taenia Solium Taeniasis In Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Taenia solium taeniasis is an intestinal parasitic disease caused by infection with Taenia solium is also referred to as the pork tapeworm. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and the risk factors that may lead to T. solium taeniasis amongst the community in Thika Sub County. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study was carried out in Thika Sub-County from November 2016 to January 2017. The study population were members of the community. Cluster sampling was used with administrative wards as the clusters and households as the sampling units. Systematic random sampling was used to select the households which participated in the study. Primary data was collected using structured Questionnaires, focused group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs) and Observations. Stool samples were obtained from all the participants for parasitological laboratory analysis of T. solium eggs, scolexes or proglottids. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The statistical analysis included proportions such as mean, median, frequency, and range. Chi-square was used to show the association of risk factors and occurrence of T. solium taeniasis. A total of 384 respondents participated in the study and the same number of stool samples were collected and analyzed. The point prevalence for T. solium was found to be at 6.8%. Prevalence was found to be significantly related to the ward of the respondent at χ2= 7.153a, df=2, P=0.028 with respondents from Gatuanyaga showing a higher prevalence. The level of knowledge amongst the community on T. solium taeniasis was low and a majority 335 (87.20%) had never heard of it. Majority (380) of the respondents had latrines at 99.0%. The prevalence was significantly associated with having a latrine at χ2=55.657a, df=1, p=0.000. Respondents from households which had no latrine were more predisposed to T. solium taeniasis. The relative risk was 17.2727; 95% CI; P < 0.0001. Lack of deworming was also found to be a risk factor to T. solium taeniasis with a relative risk of 1.5211; 95% CI; 0.5513 to 4.1970; P = 0.0418. The study recommends that the county government of Kiambu should address the high prevalence of T. solium taeniasis through the promotion of good hygiene and food safety and thorough pork inspection. The county government should educate the community through media and public rallies so as to create awareness on the T. solium taeniasis. The county government should sensitize the community through health promotion activities such as the building of latrines so as to address the risk factors associated with T. solium taeniasis. This study recommends further studies on the prevalence of T. solium taeniasis, the level of awareness amongst the community and the risk factors in other counties. The study also recommends further studies to establish other diseases which may be caused by the high prevalence of T. solium taeniasis such as neurocysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis.