Prevalence of asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis in human and dog, Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Benishangul-Gumuz region is an important development corridor in Ethiopia. The large-scale projects; the great renaissance dam, mining and agriculture entailed huge environmental modification and settlement pattern changes. Detail epidemiological information of VL in the region is unknown. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study to assess the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Leishmania infection. Leishmanin skin test (LST) was done for 1342 participants, and for 253 of them rK39 and DAT were done. Thirty-six dogs owned by households with LST positive member(s) were rK39 and DAT tested. A pretested questionnaire was used to capture individual and household characteristics. Results: Of the 89.2% (1197/1342) who availed themselves for LST reading 6.0% were positive. The rk39 and DAT positivity among the 253 tested were 3.2% and 5.9% respectively. In dogs, positivity rates by rK39 and DAT were 13.9% and 5.6% respectively. Of the household and individual risk factors presence of dog in household (P=0.005), male sex (0.003), residence woreda (0.000) and occupation (0.023) showed a strong positive association with LST positivity. Individuals who lived in household who owned dogs were 2.6 times more likely to be LST positive (AOR = 2.6; 95%CI= 1.54, 4.40). Being female decreased by 0.38 times the probability of being LST positive (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI= 0.20, 0.72). Living in Guba and Kurmuk has 4.7 (AOR=4.74, 95% CI 1.83, 12.31) and 5.9 (AOR=5.85, 95%CI 2.27, 15.09) times more risk of being infected. Conclusions: We demonstrated presence of active VL transmission in the areas. Thus, we underline the need to establish the responsible vector(s) and reservoir(s) for comprehensive early containment plan to prevent potentially harmful public health and economic consequence.