Risk Factors Associated with Leishmaniasis among Residents of Rural Marigat Sub-County, Baringo County - Kenya

Aim: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic and vector-borne disease existing in two main forms, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Visceral Leishmaniasis with an average global incidence of 0.95 and 0.3 million cases consecutively per annum. The study determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmaniasis in Baringo County-Kenya.

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study design that employed a mixed method was used. Study recruited 333 head of households in Marigat sub-County of Baringo County-Kenya. Purposive and multistage sampling techniques were used to recruit study participants. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis of quantitative data. Statistical test employed were X2 test of independence and binary logistic regression. NVivo version 10 was used for analysis of qualitative data.

Results: Of 333 participants, 96 reported to have had Leishmaniasis translating to the prevalence of 28.8%. Increased odds of contracting Leishmaniasis were associated with living in a temporary house (OR = 5, 95% CI 2.64 – 9.44), Living below the poverty line (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 0.23 – 0.78), primary level of education (OR = 8.6, 95% CI 0.14 – 0.97), presence of termite hills (OR = 7.6, 95% CI 0.60 – 0.97) and presence of soil cracks (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 0.16 – 0.50). Having bed net (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.90 – 6.57), use of repellent (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.58 – 8.58), and wearing long sleeves after sunset (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 0.24 – 0.84) were associated with decreased odds of Leishmaniasis infection.

Conclusion: In the study area, Leishmaniasis was found to be aggravated by low level of education, living below the poverty line, living in a temporary house, presence of termite hills and soil cracks near the residential area. Government should network with development partners to improve the livelihood of people and people should destroy dormant termite hills around their area of residence.