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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Article
Tunga penetrans―A Silent Setback to Development in Kenya
Author(s)
Simon Kiprono Ruttoh, Denis Ochieng’ Omondi and Nafula Inviolata Wanyama
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DOI:10.17265/2162-5263/2012.04.011
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ABSTRACT
Tungiasis is an
ectoparasitic skin disease caused by the
penetration of the female sand flea, Tungapenetrans,
into the epidermis of the host. Through an intensive
literature review, poor hygiene, poverty, social neglect, ignorance, and poor
cultural beliefs were found to promote jigger infestation inKenya. The
research revealed the vicious cycle of poverty, low educational standards, low
self-esteem/stigmatization, violation of civil rights,
HIV/AIDS and secondary infections as the effects of the infestation.
Fumigation, on-host treatment of animals, proper hygiene, and health education
are the suggested control measures. Generally, one needs to be physically, emotionally and socially
sound to appropriately deliver the much needed services of national
development. The jigger infestation negatively impacts on these aspects of
human health, hampering the
wholesome participation in nation building by both the infected and the
affected. As a country, the Jigger menace is frustratingKenya’s attempts to achieve the
Millennium Development Goal on poverty reduction by the year 2015, as well as reducing
the pace of national development.
KEYWORDS
Tunga penetrans, jigger infestation, poverty, hygiene, fumigation, national development.
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