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Seroprevalence of Dengue virus among febrile patients visiting selected Hospitals in the Western Region of Kenya, 2010/2011
Abstract
Background: Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue Hemorrhagic fever’s (DHF) lack of an effective vaccine and specific treatment promotes the diseases’ significance as a public health problem leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The disease is caused by any four closely-related, but antigenically distinct, Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes; DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 transmitted through mosquito vectors, Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, there is scanty information on its incidence and prevalence in populations naturally-exposed to mosquito-borne diseases in western Kenya.
Methods: This study was therefore designed to determine the sero-prevalence of DF in patients (n=422, aged>5 years) presenting with fever at three selected health facilities in Kenya; Anderson Medical Centre (in Trans-Nzoia District in Rift Valley Province), and KEMRI/CIPDCR Alupe Clinic and Alupe Sub-district Hospital (in Teso-south District of Western Province). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics associated with potential risk on sero-prevalence of dengue virus were evaluated. Using serum, indirect ELISA was performed as the screening test with Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) as the confirmatory test, while sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated using structured questionnaires. Chi-square tests were used to test for proportionality.
Results: Overall, a low sero-prevalence of 1.2% (5/422) was recorded in the two regions. Among the main significant symptoms of classical DF were retro-orbital pain (OR; 7.75, 95% CI; 1.25-48.07, P=0.013), muscle ache (OR; 10.89, 95% CI; 1.20-78.50, P=0.016) and joint pain (OR; 53.47, 95% CI; 1.22-45.32, P=0.009). In addition, walls with cracks (OR; 8.75, 95% CI; 1.43-2.389, P<0.001), place of storage of water vessel (OR; 3.20, 95% CI; 2.78-68.10, P=0.014), burning of charcoal (OR; 0.06, 95% CI; 0.01-0.38, P<0.001) and farming (OR; 8.83, 95% CI; 1.97-79.78, P<0.001) were significantly associated with DENV-2 sero-positivity. The current study identifies additional factors that may predispose to DF in populations naturally-exposed to mosquito-borne diseases.
Conclusion: The overall seroprevalence was low but non-zero implying that dengue is not a main cause of febrile illness in these study regions, but it may be a potential hazard to public health.
Keywords: sero-prevalence, dengue virus, health facilities, Kenya
Afr J Health Sci. 2013; 26:248-271
Methods: This study was therefore designed to determine the sero-prevalence of DF in patients (n=422, aged>5 years) presenting with fever at three selected health facilities in Kenya; Anderson Medical Centre (in Trans-Nzoia District in Rift Valley Province), and KEMRI/CIPDCR Alupe Clinic and Alupe Sub-district Hospital (in Teso-south District of Western Province). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics associated with potential risk on sero-prevalence of dengue virus were evaluated. Using serum, indirect ELISA was performed as the screening test with Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) as the confirmatory test, while sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated using structured questionnaires. Chi-square tests were used to test for proportionality.
Results: Overall, a low sero-prevalence of 1.2% (5/422) was recorded in the two regions. Among the main significant symptoms of classical DF were retro-orbital pain (OR; 7.75, 95% CI; 1.25-48.07, P=0.013), muscle ache (OR; 10.89, 95% CI; 1.20-78.50, P=0.016) and joint pain (OR; 53.47, 95% CI; 1.22-45.32, P=0.009). In addition, walls with cracks (OR; 8.75, 95% CI; 1.43-2.389, P<0.001), place of storage of water vessel (OR; 3.20, 95% CI; 2.78-68.10, P=0.014), burning of charcoal (OR; 0.06, 95% CI; 0.01-0.38, P<0.001) and farming (OR; 8.83, 95% CI; 1.97-79.78, P<0.001) were significantly associated with DENV-2 sero-positivity. The current study identifies additional factors that may predispose to DF in populations naturally-exposed to mosquito-borne diseases.
Conclusion: The overall seroprevalence was low but non-zero implying that dengue is not a main cause of febrile illness in these study regions, but it may be a potential hazard to public health.
Keywords: sero-prevalence, dengue virus, health facilities, Kenya
Afr J Health Sci. 2013; 26:248-271
