Prevalence of Visceral Leishmaniasis Associated with the Behaviors of the People in Rural Areas

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted by taking a random sample of 204 households of 5 VDCs in Sunsari
district, Nepal with the objective to verify the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis with behaviors of the
people in endemic rural areas.
Interviews with structured questionnaires and k-39 tests were used to collect information. From a sample of
204 respondents, 28 (13.73%) cases of Kala-azar (KA) were identified with k-39 test positive. Of them, 43%
KA cases were found among Mushar ethnic group, 32% among Muslims, 11% cases among Tharus and 4%
in Uraus and 11% in others. The difference in the prevalence of Kala-azar in people who had lands and in
those who did not have were significant. People not owning lands were at 4 times greater risk of developing
Kala-azar in endemic areas. Seventy seven percent of the people were bed net users. From 46 nonusers, 11
(23.91%) developed Kala-azar, which was significant as compared to bed net users. From among 196 ‘groundfloor’
sleepers, 85 (43.34%) were ground sleepers and 111 (56.63%) were ‘plung’ sleepers. Nineteen (22.35%)
of ground sleepers had suffered from Kala-azar, while 9 (8.11%) of ‘plung’ sleepers had suffered from Kalaazar.
From all cases of Kala-azar, 25 (89.25%) had cracks and crevices on the walls of their living rooms.
Sleeping on ground, non-use of bed-nets, landlessness, cracks and crevices on the floor and wall of living
houses, poor living condition and overcrowding in houses, labors, dalit groups were identified as risks for
Kala-azar.
Key Words: Behavior, prevalence, socio-economic, visceral leishmaniasis.