Risk factors for human African trypanosomiasis in the endemic foci of Ivory Coast
Meda, A.H.; Laveissiere, C.; De Muynck, A.; Doua, F.; Diallo, P.B.
Medecine Tropicale Revue du Corps de Sante Colonial 53(1): 83-92
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-682X PMID: 8389414 Document Number: 413613
Between January 1988 and December 1989, 120 cases of African trypanosomiasis were reported from villages, hamlets and permanent camps in Cote d'Ivoire. Of these, 111 cases of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense [T. gambiense] were included in a case-control study on the risk factors of human trypanosomiasis. Each case was age and sex matched with one seronegative control living in the same place. Based upon previous epidemiological surveys conducted in similar areas, the potential risk factors were identified and assessed using a standard questionnaire. The study demonstrated that, in the forest area of Cote d'Ivoire, human trypanosomiasis is a behavioural disease that mainly affects coffee and cocoa farmers. The allogenous populations coming from sudano-sahelian savannah are more exposed to the disease than other ethnic groups. People sleeping in encampments were more likely to become infected than those living in villages (ODDS-Ratio = 4.5). People fetching water from natural holes and pools had an increased risk (ODDS-Ratio = 3.6). Infected people were more likely to report that they were foodstuffs dealers, taking food from the farms to the villages, than were controls (ODDS-Ratio = 13.0). Results were consistent with data from previous studies. Preventable risk factors were identified and the possibility of using these findings to improve the sleeping sickness control programme in forest areas of Cote d'Ivoire is discussed.