Socio-Demographic, Clinical, and Household Environmental Profiles of Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Cases in Keekonyokie Ward, Kajiado West Sub-County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/gjhs.3865Keywords:
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Environmental Determinants, Household Risk Factors, KajiadoAbstract
Purpose: To describe the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients diagnosed with visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Keekonyokie Ward, Kajiado West Sub-County, Kenya, and to determine the household-level environmental and behavioural determinants associated with disease occurrence.
Methodology: A retrospective hospital-based descriptive study supplemented by a cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Keekonyokie Ward, Kajiado West Sub-County, Kenya. Cases were ascertained from facility registers, active community case-finding by Community Health Promoters, and the ICIPE KaLaAzar Mapper dataset. Village-level environmental and behavioural determinants of CL case counts were examined using negative binomial regression.
Findings: A total of 174 confirmed cases were enrolled: 159 CL (91.4%) and 15 VL (8.6%). Median age was 13 years, with the 5–14 age group accounting for 40.6% of cases; students were the largest occupational group (47.9%). Proximity to termite mounds (94.8%), dog ownership (91.4%), and mud-walled housing (63.8%) were the most prevalent household exposures. Land surface temperature and elevation were significant univariate village-level predictors of CL case counts, although neither retained significance after multivariable adjustment.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study provides the first systematic characterization of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Keekonyokie Ward, applying the socio-ecological systems framework in a semi-arid pastoral setting. Findings affirm that transmission risk arises from interacting multi-level determinants rather than single predictors. For practice, the findings identify priority villages and the 5–14 years age group for targeted surveillance, and highlight mud-walled housing as a modifiable risk factor. For policy, the study supports incorporating environmental and behavioural risk monitoring into routine surveillance and strengthening community-based treatment follow-up through Community Health Promoters.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Esther Njuguna, John Gachohi, Dennis Magu
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