Factors Associated with Yaws Infections in the West Akim Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: Yaws, caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium (spirochete) Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue is a contagious, non-venereal infection in humans that presents mainly in children below 15 years old and primarily affects the skin, bones and cartilage. Despite the implementation of the strategy of mass drug treatment in West Akim Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana in the past, there is indication of resurgence of the disease. This study seeks to determine factors associated with resurgence of infection with yaws amongst residents. Study Design: It is an un-matched community-based case-control study. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was administered to the cases and controls as they were detected in the communities by trained data collection officers. Trained Community Based Volunteers moved from house to house for active case search and examined skin lesions. Data on education, occupation, religion and risk factors for yaws were analyzed using Epi-Info version 7 and Excel statistical software packages. Results: The mean age of the cases and controls was 9.28 and 9.1 years respectively. The cases were seventy (70) times more likely to have played with yaws cases as compared to the controls [Odds Ratio= 70; 95% CI (8.97-546.56), p-value= 0.000], likewise cases were more likely to have slept in same room with yaws cases. Sharing clothing with yaws case was significantly associated with being a yaws case [OR= 25; 95% CI, (3.12-204.69); p-value 0.0001]. Adjusting for age, overcrowding was significantly associated with yaws infection [Adjusted OR (MH); 2.8; 95% CI; 1.3-5.95.0; p-Value; 0.014]. Conclusions: The significant association of having contact with yaws infected person  and overcrowded homes with yaws requires to take measures to prevent contact with yaws infected persons in addition to early detection and treatment of yaws cases.