Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera:
Tungidae) infestation, intensity and disease out come in some selected kebeles of Gulliso
woreda, West Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia from September 2014 to June 2015.Data were
collected by using structured questionnaire. Observation was also made to search the
affected body part and counting the number of lesions, data were collected during the wet
season, September 2014 and dry season in February 2015.Chi-square test was employed to
compare variation between the categorical variables. A total of 272 individuals were
interviewed, and of these, 94.9% were males and 5.1% females. Of the total 272 respondents
participated in the study, 29.8% and 14.3% respondents were infested during dry and wet
season, respectively. p<0.05 significant during the analysis was considered. Among 81
individuals infested during the dry season and 39 individuals infested during the wet season,
the age group 18-24 and age group above 42 were the most infested with 19.8% and 29.6%
during the dry season and 17.9% and 30.8% during the wet season, respectively. Of the 81
and 39 infested individuals, the most infested occupational groups during both seasons were
farmers. Individuals with low educational status (write-read and 1-4 grade level) were the
most affected constituting 79.0% and 84.6% during dry and wet season, respectively. Most
lesions were observed on feet and hands during both seasons (85.1% dry season and 89.7%
during wet season). Fifty one percent of the respondents knew that tungiasis is a disease, the
remaining 48.9% did not know about Tungiasis. Twelve percent of the respondents had the
practice of wearing shoes while 4.8% of them never wore shoes. Regarding feet washing
practice most (87.9%) of them had the practice of washing their feet every day, 12.1%
washed their feet sometimes. In conclusion this study could contribute to the basic
understanding of prevalence of the T. penetrans infestation, intensity, disease outcome and
KAP of the community towards T. penetrans infestation for the Eka, Kusae and Woradale
kebeles which will be use to design and implement disease prevention and control strategy.
