Publications by authors named "Sammy Koech"
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
May 2024
Article Synopsis
- Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, leads to significant pain and mobility issues, affecting the quality of life, particularly among school-aged children in Kenya.
- A survey of 10,600 primary school pupils showed those with tungiasis had lower weight-for-age, missed more school days, and performed worse in mathematics and other subjects.
- Severe cases of tungiasis correlate with increased pain and greater negative impacts on quality of life, highlighting the need for better disease management to support children's health and academic success.
Infect Dis Poverty
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- - Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the sand flea, Tunga penetrans, primarily affecting children in South America and sub-Saharan Africa, with a study conducted in Kenya to assess its prevalence and risk factors among school-aged children.
- - The study involved a national survey across nine counties, examining pupils aged 8 to 14 years, revealing a prevalence of 1.35% in the first survey and 0.89% in the second, with significant variation by region and factors like sex, age, and socioeconomic status.
- - Key findings included higher infection rates in public school attendees and associations with male gender and lower socioeconomic status, emphasizing the need for comprehensive examination methods, as traditional rapid screening could miss
