Social Structure, Awareness and Practice on Risk of Exposure to Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

Abstract

Human tick-borne diseases are generally neglected but they are expanding in scope and emerging as a significant public health problem.  This study sought to determine relationship among socio-demographic factors, awareness and practices in a rural community in Kenya towards ticks and human tick borne diseases. A cross sectional study involving 307 respondents living within and around Ol-Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya was carried out using  semi-structured questionnaire to survey the socio-economic factors, level of awareness and practices surrounding ticks and tick-borne diseases. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23 and the test statistics utilized was Chi-square.