Sero-Antigen Prevalence, Risk Factors of Lymphatic Filariasis and Podoconiosis in Busiriba Sub-county, Kamwenge District, Southwestern Uganda, August–September 2018

Abstract Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease with painful and disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, including lymphedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling that occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability(WHO, 2017). Elephantiasis one of the neglected tropical diseases is a public health problem with 947 million people in 54 countries that requires preventive chemotherapy to stop the spread of infection. In the African region, more than 382 million people are exposed to lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 39 of the 46 countries at risk. For over a decade since its inception, the Lymphatic Filarial Elimination programme has finished mapping in 35 countries at risk including Uganda. (MoH, 2009). Despite the treatment given under this programme , an increase in elephantiasis has been reported in Kamwenge district according to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDI) and another 14.5 million are at risk of being infected (MoH, 2009). However the prevailing status of lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis in Busiriba Sub County is not known. We determined the Sero-antigen prevalence, and risk factors of lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis in Busiriba Sub-county, Kamwenge District, and south western Uganda. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study during August and September 2018.We recruited residents (participants) who had lived in study area for more than three months using stratified sampling procedure, and administered a structured questionnaire to capture demographic and other exposure characteristics of study participants. We collected blood samples and tested for them for filarial circulating antigen using Immunochromatographic Test (Alere Scarborough, Inc. 10 Southgate Road, Scarborough, ME 04074 USA). Additionally, soil samples were tested for silicon using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for Podoconiosis among the study participants. Results: We enrolled 101 participants; of these most (61.4%) females. The mean age was 41(±21) years. The overall Sero - antigen prevalence of lymphatic filariasis was 1.0% (n=1). The prevalence of non-filarial elephantiasis (Podoconiosis) was found to be 34.7% (35/101) (95%CI 25.5 – 44.8%). Conclusion: The Sero antigen prevalence of lymphatic filariasis was found to be 1.0%. Prevalence of Podoconiosis was found to be 34.7%. The average silicon concentration was found to be 36.1ppm (mg/kg of soil). The average pH was 6.2 (range 5.6–6.8).