A simple method for rapid community assessment of tungiasis.
Trop Med Int Health
; 15(7): 856-64, 2010 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20497406
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate a rapid assessment method to estimate the overall prevalence of tungiasis and severity of disease in endemic communities.METHODS:
We analysed data from 10 population-based surveys on tungiasis, performed in five endemic communities in Brazil and Nigeria between 2001 and 2008. To assess the association between occurrence of tungiasis on six defined topographic areas of the feet and the true prevalence/prevalence of severe disease, linear regression analyses were performed. Estimated prevalences were calculated for each of the 10 surveys and compared to true prevalences. We then selected the most useful topographic localization to define a rapid assessment method, based on the strength of association and operational aspects.RESULTS:
In total, 7121 individuals of the five communities were examined. Prevalence of tungiasis varied between 21.1% and 54.4%. The presence of periungual lesions on the toes was identified as the most useful rapid assessment to estimate the prevalence of tungiasis (absolute errors -4% to +3.6%; R(2 )=96%; P < 0.0001). Prevalence of severe tungiasis (>20 lesions) was also estimated by the method (absolute errors -3.1% to +2.5%; R(2 )=76%; P = 0.001).CONCLUSION:
Prevalence of tungiasis and prevalence of severe disease can be reliably estimated in communities with distinct cultural and geographical characteristics, by applying a simple and rapid epidemiological method. This approach will help to detect high-risk communities and to monitor control measures aimed at the reduction of tungiasis.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ectoparasitic Infestations
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Evaluation_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Animals
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
/
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Trop Med Int Health
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Year:
2010
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brasil