Kiragu, Gitau Anthony (2015) Efficacy of Coconut Oil in the Control of Tungiasis. Masters thesis, University of Nairobi.
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Abstract
Tungiasis is a disease caused by a jigger flea (Tunga penetrans). The flea turns into an ectoparasite once embedded on the host. It is a public health problem in Kenya, particularly in poor rural communities, which has not, been given the due attention it deserves. The World Health Organization has categorized tungiasis among the neglected diseases. Tungiasis control has been, left in the hands of non-governmental organizations and has had no scientific or serious research inputs. There is therefore a need to explore the possibilities of developing innovative local solutions to this problem based on scientific data.This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of coconut oil in the control of tungiasis in a rural setting. A baseline survey was, carried out to assess infestation and severity of the disease. Two severity scores, one for acute disease and the other for chronic disease were, used in the study. A cohort of 39 individuals, with varying degrees of infestation was, recruited for treatment and follow up. The recruited study participants were first examined for a period of 30 days followed by an intervention treatment with coconut oil applied twice daily for a period of ten weeks to prevent re-infestation. The severity scores for both acute and chronic status of the disease were, expected to reduce to zero after the intervention.The spearman rank correlation coefficient was, calculated to assess the significance of the association between the severity scores and infestation rate. The correlation coefficient was strong in both acute and chronic conditions (r = 0.6 and r= 0.8 respectively).To compare findings before and after the intervention, the mean of each variable was determined for each patient during baseline assessment and during the intervention. Significance of differences was assessed using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. The difference was, found to be significant leading to rejection of the null hypothesis. These results proved that coconut oil is efficacious in controlling tungiasis. The findings of this study indicate that coconut oil can provide a reliable, simple and inexpensive means of controlling the disease.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Mr Jude Abhulimen |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Sep 2016 07:20 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Sep 2016 08:22 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/907 |
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