Abstract:
Ticks are ectoparasites of major public health concern. Humans
and animals are affected directly by tick bites and indirectly by disease
transmission. A study was carried out to determine socio-ecological risk
factors of human tick infestations in five selected districts, namely,
Anuradhapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. A total of
40 villages (8 per district) and 400 households (10 per village) were
sampled randomly. Data was collected by interviewing household members
using a questionnaire. The prevalence of tick infestation was highest in
Kandy (65.4%) followed by Anuradhapura (58.3%) and lowest in Nuwara
Eliya (23.7%). Tick infestations were significantly high in those who were
engaged in outdoor activities (𝜒
2
=146.180, p<0.001). Among those 41.6% had
been interacted with the forest in gathering firewood. Among the different
professions, housewives (35.4%) and farmers (33.8%) experienced a high
percentage of tick bites. Except in Ratnapura district, tick attacks were also
significantly dependant on the presence of wildlife around the homeland
(𝜒
2
=42.313, p<0.001). Tick infestation did not depend on the gender
(𝜒
2
=0.355, p=0.551) or on the presence of pets and livestock at home
(𝜒
2
=0.548, p=0.459) but in Kandy district, both factors posed a risk. Outdoor
activities and the presence of wild animals around the house were identified
as the major risk factors of human tick infestation.
