Factors Influencing Prevention of Tungiasis Infestation in Tshiatsala Division of Butere Sub County – Kenya

Tungiasis infection is spread by sand flea (chiggers) burrowing human flesh, caused by Tunga penetran. Globally, Tungiasis are associated with contaminated habitats of loam soils. In Kenya quality data on prevention and eradication of Tungiasis, remains unclear, as the infested community continues to disfigure their body limbs. It was these reasons that lead the study to determine factors influencing prevention of Tungiasis in Tshiatsala in Butere, specifically to determine how Knowledge, attitude and practice of community influence the prevention and control of Tungiasis, elucidate how demographic, socio-economic and socio-cultural factors influence the implementation of control and eradication Tungiasis. Using case-study, primary schools pupils and infested adults were used in the study population, by purposive sampling in the holoendomicity. Formal survey, Key informant interviews and Focus group discussions were used to collect and analyzed data. Over 75% of pupil and adults have Tungiasis. Majority (80%) of infestation were due to enhanced poverty has indicated by, going to school bare feet, live in grass thatched or uncemented floors, rarely smeared with cow dung. Need for community to partner in health sector wide approach for permanent health remedy, such as means and ways to increase income to household, capacity building of community via health education and promotion using appropriate technology, these will enhance the achievement of sustainable global goal three.