Assessment of the Determinants of Visceral Leishmaniasis at Leishmaniasis Treatment Center of Yabello General Hospital, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Unmatched Retrospective Case Control Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is listed among the 20 neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization, and an estimated 50,000 to 90,000 new cases of VL with 20,000 to 40,000 deaths were reported each year. Presence of Acacia seyal and Balanites trees, staying and sleeping outdoors during night times, live in cracked well house and ownerships of domestic animals are among determinants of VL. There is scarce of literature and records regarding determinants of VL in Borena zone. Objective: The aim of this study to assess the determinants of visceral leishmaniasis at leishmaniasis treatment center of Yabello general Hospital, Borena Zone Southern Ethiopia. Methods Hospital based unmatched 1:2 case control study design conducted in Yabello General Hospital from March to June, 2021. Case 54 and control 108 enrolled. Case selected from VL registration book and Control from Outpatient department registration book. Systematic random sample technique used. Data was collected by face-to-face interview method using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data was entered by Epi Info software version 7.2.1.0 and analyzed by using SPSS statistical software ver-23. Data were presented in the form of table and text with description of mean, percent and frequency. Result From the total study participants were 162(100%), from this 114 (70.4%) were male and also statistically significant with visceral leishmaniasis (AOR = 3.367; 95% CI: 1.150–9.856), and as Age increase by a year the chance of getting VL disease was decreased (AOR = 0.934; 95% CI: 0.903–0.966). The other determinants of this study were the family with history of VL case (AOR=3.157; 95% CL= 1.239-8.042), Presence of anemia and sleeping under acacia tree were (AOR=4.905; 95% CL= 2.030 -11.856) and (AOR=2.762; 95% CL= 1.119 -6.815) respectively Conclusion The highest number of VL case were male and being male was determinant of VL case. Younger individual more exposed than elders, those living in the house with the history of VL case in the family members, being anemic and sleeping under acacia tree during night times were determinants of VL disease revealed by this study. Health education should be strengthen specially for those men who engage in different out rich activity on VL, sand flies with breeding site and on nutrition related awareness. Keywords: - Visceral leishmaniasis, Determinant, Yabello General Hospital, Ethiopia