Individual Factors contributing to the prevalence of typhoid fever among patients at Kalagala Health Center IV, Luwero district: Cross-sectional study.

Gertrude Mutesi; Echo Mugisha; George Masete

doi:10.51168/dz3ekh02

Authors

Gertrude Mutesi Kampala Institute of Health Professionals Author
Echo Mugisha Kampala Institute of Health Professionals Author
George Masete Kampala Institute of Health Professionals Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/dz3ekh02

Keywords:

Prevalence, typhoid fever, Kalagala Health Centre IV, Luwero district

Abstract

Background:

This study investigated the individual factors contributing to the prevalence of typhoid fever among patients at Kalagala Health Centre IV in Luwero District.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study design was employed, with 60 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered by the researcher and an assistant.

Results:

The study included 60 respondents, with the largest proportion aged 26–35 years (41.7%), followed by 36–45 years (25%), 18–25 years (20%), and those aged 46 years and above (13.3%), indicating a predominantly young to middle-aged population. Females constituted the majority at 61.7%, while males accounted for 38.3%. In terms of education level, most respondents had attained secondary education (36.7%), followed by primary education (26.7%) and tertiary education (23.3%), while 13.3% had no formal education, reflecting varied literacy levels within the study population. Regarding marital status, nearly half of the participants were married (46.7%), while 33.3% were single, 11.7% widowed, and 8.3% divorced, suggesting a largely stable but diverse social composition.

Individual related factors indicated risky practices were prevalent, including reliance on borehole 33%, and inconsistent hand washing before eating (42%). Although 50% boiled their water, 20% did not treat their water at all.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that the persistence of typhoid fever at Kalagala Health Centre IV results from a combination of individual risky behaviours, sociodemographic vulnerabilities, and critical weaknesses in the health system`s preventive and outreach capacities.

Recommendation:

A multi-level approach is recommended, including community-led promotion of point of use water treatment and hygiene, health facility-led revitalization and modelling of best WASH practices, and district-level investment in WASH infrastructure and consideration of a typhoid conjugate vaccination campaign.

Author Biography

Gertrude Mutesi, Kampala Institute of Health Professionals

is a dedicated public health practitioner trained at Kampala Institute of Health Professionals, with a strong focus on infectious disease prevention and community health research.

References

1. Ahmed, S., Khan, R., & Ali, M. (2022). Typhoid in Pakistan: Challenges, efforts, and

2. Arapu, P., Okello, J., & Namata, R. (2023). Factors contributing to increased cases of typhoid fever among patients aged 15–45 years in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Soroti District. East African Medical Journal, 100(4), 223–232.

3. Arrau, T., Bekele, W., & Mekonnen, Y. (2023). Prevalence of typhoid fever and associated factors among febrile patients visiting Arerti Primary Hospital, Amhara Region, Northeast Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 23(112), 1–10.

4. Imerintsiatosika, A. (2019). Typhoid outbreaks in Madagascar: Causes and management. African Health Sciences, 19(1), 112–120.

5. Jong-Hoon, K., et al. (2024). Typhoid fever in Eastern Africa: Incidence and contributing factors. East African Journal of Public Health, 21(1), 12–26.

6. Kariuki, S., Onsare, R., & Ochieng, J. (2015). Typhoid fever control in resource-limited settings. Journal of Infectious Disease Control, 11(3), 102–110.

7. Kariuki, S., Pomeroy, C., & Wijedoru, L. (2019). Risk factors for typhoid fever in sub-Saharan Africa. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 24(9), 1054–1062.

8. Kasadha, S., Nsubuga, J., & Okello, P. (2023). Health system factors affecting typhoid fever prevalence in Kakira Health Center III, Jinja District. Uganda Medical Journal, 37(2), 89–97.

9. Mirembe, J. (2019). National prevalence of typhoid fever in Uganda. Uganda Health Bulletin, 16(2), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214650

10. Mujahid, A., Umar, H., & Bello, S. (2023). Prevalence of typhoid fever among patients attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 18(3), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.4314/bajopas.v15i1.7

11. Nakayiza, C., Tumusiime, R., & WaterAid Uganda. (2025). Typhoid vaccination and WASH interventions in Uganda. Uganda Public Health Review, 12(1), 88–97.

12. Okech, E. A. (2019). Sociodemographic and environmental factors influencing typhoid fever prevalence in Maina Slum. Journal of Tropical Health, 15(4), 110–118.

13. Te Akwa, M., Nfonsam, L., & Fofack, S. (2023). Sources of drinking water and prevalence of typhoid fever in Douala, Littoral Region. Cameroon Medical Journal, 10(1), 25–34.

14. Tumusiime, R., Nakayiza, C., & Mirembe, J. (2021). Typhoid fever outbreaks in urban slums in Uganda: Risk factors and interventions. Uganda Health Journal, 18(2), 45–54.

15. WHO. (2023). Typhoid. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid