Jigger-Control Related Health Issues and Suggested Interventions in Iganga District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Jigger infestation is a neglected tropical disease caused by penetration of the sand flea into the skin of a person and other hosts. The wounds created cause pain, discomfort and may lead to secondary infections such as tetanus. Human infestation with jiggers is endemic in Iganga district and several other parts of Uganda. The aim of this study was to identify Jigger-control related health issues and suggested interventions by affected communities in Iganga district. This information were obtained through review of proceedings of a total of 103 jigger control community meetings conducted in 17 sub-counties in the district during the period July to August 2016. The most (n, %) reported health issue was jigger infestation (72, 46.5%), followed by bedbug infestation (31, 20%), poor hygiene/sanitation, (31, 20%), mosquito infestation (18, 11.6%) and poor garbage disposal (3, 1.9%). Maintenance of good hygiene and sanitation (71,25.1%), was the most suggested intervention in solving the health issues, followed by creation of awareness (55, 19.4%), spraying with insecticides (54, 19.1%), smearing with cow-dung, (49, 17.3%), community self-support (27,9.5%), government support (18,6.4%), treatment of jiggers with Benzyl Benzoate Application, BBA, (6, 2.1%), wearing shoes (2, 0.7%) and pouring water on floors to control fleas (1, 0.4%) respectively. This study shows that the jigger endemic communities in Iganga are generally aware of the necessary interventions to prevent or control the infestations but do not have adequate means to do so. There is need to address the underlying factors that hinder jigger control and prevention such as household incomes so as to provide for the basic needs of health, shelter and education among others.