Prevalence and Loa loa Filariasis Risk Factors: Case of Koula-Moutou and Surrounding Departments, in Central-Eastern Gabon

Abstract

This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 3 to July 20, 2023, at the Paul MOUKAMBI Regional Hospital of Koula-Moutou. Blood samples taken from participants were used to diagnose Loa loa filariasis by direct optical microscopy and leucoconcentration. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which were entered into an Excel 2016 spreadsheet and exported to R software version 3.6.1. Univariate analysis, followed by multivariate analysis using logistic regression, yielded crude and adjusted Odds-Ratios. Within a 95% confidence interval, results were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. A total of 300 participants, with a mean age of 26.7 ± 17.45 years, took part in the study. A prevalence of Loa loa filariasis of 14% (95% CI: [0.10. 0.18]) was reported. After univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression adjustment of this prevalence according to the different variables indicated that being female (adjusted OR = 56.9, 95% CI: [1.71; 1893,] p =0.024) was the only significant risk factor for Loa loa filariasis in this study. Systematic epidemiological surveillance is needed to protect elderly women from Loa loa filariasis in Gabon.

Keywords

• prevalence
• filariasis
• loa loa
• koula-moutou
• gabon