Factors Associated With Yaws Infection in Children Under 15 Years in the Kintampo North Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

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Date

2019-05

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University of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Yaws is a treponemal infection in humans that is common in children who are less than 15 years of age. The causative organism of yaws – Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue – is genetically related to T. pallidum subspecies, the causative agent of syphilis. Mostly, people who are affected by yaws live in poor socioeconomic conditions. Ghana seems to be the number one yaws endemic country in the WHO African Region, reporting over 20 000 cases annually. The Kintampo North Municipality is the most endemic district in the Brong Ahafo Region. The Municipality recorded 8,358 yaws cases between 2012 and 2016. The aim of the study was conducted to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with yaws infection in the Municipality. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used to conduct this study in the Kintampo North Municipality with a sample size of 270. Simple random sampling was used to select three of the seven circuits and three primary schools in each circuit for the study. In the selected schools, systematic sampling was used to select 30 pupils who are less than 15 years for the study. Only participants who gave assent and their guardians consented were interviewed. The data was then analysed using Stata 15 software. After the analysis all variables with p-value <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant with yaws infection. Results: The prevalence of Yaws lesions in the study was found to be 23.53% (95% CI 18.84% - 28.97%). The personal factor identified to be associated with yaws infection is having a guardian who is a trader (UOR: 6.25, p = 0.015). The significant household factors identified include playing with a yaws case (UOR: 7.05, p = 0.005) and using river as the source of drinking water (UOR: 8.0, p = 0.009). Only 28.9% of the participants who had yaws had ever visited the health facility for treatment. Because of financial problem, majority of the participants who had yaws infection but did not visit a health facility for treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of yaws lesions in the Municipality is high. The significant factors identified to be associated with yaws infection include playing with a yaws case, using river which is a source of drinking water and having a guardian who is a trader. Most people with yaws infection in the Municipality do not visit the facility for treatment because of financial problem. The Kintampo North Municipal Health Directorate should intensify education on the mode of transmission, risk factors and the need to seek treatment for yaws in Basic Schools within the Municipality.

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MPH.

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Yaws, Children, Kintampo North Municipality, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

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