Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Dengue fever in Kassala state, eastern Sudan

Elaagip, Arwa; Alsedig, Khider; Altahir, Omnia; Ageep, Tellal; Ahmed, Ayman; Siam, Hanaa Adli; Samy, Abdallah M.; Mohamed, Waleed; Khalid, Fatima; Gumaa, Suhaib; Mboera, Leonard; Sindato, Calvin; Elton, Linzy; Zumla, Alimuddin; Haider, Najmul; Kock, Richard; Abdel Hamid, Muzamil Mahdi

Abstract

Dengue is a rapidly growing public health threat in Kassala state, eastern Sudan. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, entomological transmission indices, and socioeconomic risk factors associated with dengue in this region. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in four dengue-endemic sites; Khatmia, West Gash, Thoriba, and Shokriya between March 2016 to March 2017. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of immunoglobulin G (IgG) was used to determine the prevalence of dengue virus among the study participants. An entomological survey was conducted using pyrethrum spray catch and dipping for the collection of adults and aquatic stages of Aedes aegypti, respectively. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the buffy coat of participants as well as from adult female Ae. aegypti to assess the possible circulation of dengue virus using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between potential risk factors and dengue seropositivity. A total of 409 persons were recruited to the study: 45.5% were in the 20–39 years’ age category; 57.9% were living in houses with 6–10 persons; and 29.1% had at most secondary school education. In the majority (65.8%) of the households, the socioeconomic status was low (P 60 years) (OR 6.31, CI 1.09–36.36); type of bathroom (OR 3.52, CI 1.35–9.20); using water-based air conditioner (OR 6.90, CI 1.78–26.85) and previous infection of any household member with dengue (OR 28.73, CI 3.31–249.63). Our findings suggest that Kassala state is facing an increasing occurrence of dengue and emphasizes the need for developing appropriate interventions to address the identified risk factors, and place control programs into actions. Establishment of routine dengue epidemiological and entomological surveillance, and climate warning systems will contribute to early warning and timely detection and response to emerging outbreaks.

Citation

Elaagip, A., Alsedig, K., Altahir, O., Ageep, T., Ahmed, A., Siam, H. A., …Abdel Hamid, M. M. (in press). Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Dengue fever in Kassala state, eastern Sudan. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(12), e0008918. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008918

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 25, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 9, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 18, 2021
• Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Print ISSN: 1935-2727
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 12
• Pages: e0008918
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008918
• Keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Infectious Diseases
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1442941