• Tungiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by a flea that burrows into the skin.
• Study examined the relationship between jiggers and children's nutrition, school attendance, academic performance and overall quality of life.
Image: FILE
A recent study has shown the significant impact of jiggers (tungiasis) on school attendance and concentration in class among children in Kenya.
The study, titled ‘Tungiasis Among Children in Kenya: Associations with Poor Nutrition, Absenteeism, Poor School Performance, and Quality of Life’, was published in the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases journal.
Tungiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by a flea that burrows into the skin.
The study assessed its effects on school children is nine counties: Turkana, Samburu, Kericho, Nakuru, Murang’a, Kajiado, Makueni, Taita Taveta and Kilifi.
It was conducted in 11 primary schools in each county from October 2021 to April 2023.
It examined the relationship between jiggers and nutrition, school attendance, academic performance and overall quality of life.
“We discovered that children affected by tungiasis experience pain, itching, sleep disturbances and embarrassment,” the study shows.
This contributes to poor school attendance and difficulties in concentration. “These children performed worse in math, English and science exams compared to their uninfected peers,” the study says.
The neglect of tungiasis has led to significant gaps in understanding the disease, including its treatment and prevention.
“This neglect is partly due to a lack of awareness among health officials, policymakers and researchers about the disease’s impact on patients’ lives. Our study aimed to highlight this issue, especially concerning school children in nine Kenyan counties,” the authors note.
Children with jiggers face substantial pain and itching, which affects their ability to attend school and focus in class.
“They scored lower in exams compared to their uninfected classmates. Our findings underscore the urgent need for increased attention from researchers, donors and policymakers,” the authors say.
“Integrating tungiasis into comprehensive disease management for school-aged children is crucial for safeguarding their physical and cognitive development.”
According to the research, only a few of the countries endemic to tungiasis have a national control strategy. This is in partly due to lack of data on the disease burden, evidence-based interventions and lack of evidence on the impact it has on infected individuals.
Jiggers are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
In Kenya, it poses a significant public health threat, with a national prevalence of 1.3 per cent among children aged eight to 14 years.
In some areas, such as northeastern Uganda, prevalence can reach as high as 64 per cent.
The disease disproportionately affects children under 15 years, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The study notes the limited understanding of tungiasis impact on quality of life.
“Although these impacts have not been systematically studied, our research sheds light on these critical issues,” the authors say.
The study found that infection is linked to poorer weight-for-age metrics, higher school absenteeism and lower exam scores.
“Children with severe tungiasis experienced more pain, itching and a reduced quality of life, particularly regarding mobility, school concentration and sleep, compared to those with mild tungiasis,” the study states.
The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust through the project Epidemiology of Tungiasis.
It received approval from the Kenya Medical Research Institute’s Scientific and Ethics Review Committee and the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee.
The researchers say there is need for improved diagnosis, surveillance, disease management and stigma reduction.
“Our study illustrates that tungiasis has a considerable impact on various aspects of children’s lives and development, akin to other neglected diseases like malaria and helminth infections,” the authors say.
Image: HILLARY BETT