Risk factors for arboviral seropositivity in children in Teso South Sub County, Western Kenya

BackgroundArboviruses like Yellow Fever Virus (YFV), Dengue Virus (DENV), Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV), and West Nile Virus (WNV) frequently cause outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying risk factors in children can improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. This study identified factors associated with seropositivity to YFV, DENV, CHIKV and WNV among children in Teso South Sub-County, Western Kenya. MethodsThis survey involved 656 children aged 1 to 12 years, enrolled at two health facilities. Socio-demographic, environmental, behavioral, and medical information was collected via questionnaire. Serological screening for antibodies to YFV, DENV, CHIKV, and WNV was performed using Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays. Collected data was summarised using descriptive statistics. Factors associated with seroprevalence were examined using multinomial logistic regression. ResultsOverall, 27.7% of children were seropositive for at least one arbovirus: 15.7% for DENV, 9.6% for WNV, 5.6% for CHIKV, and 4.4% for YFV. Factors associated with any arbovirus were: female gender, age 6-9 and 9-12 years, non-parent primary caregiver, and use of unknown bed nets brand (p<0.05).YFV seropositivity was not associated with any of the risk factors, while DENV was associated with female gender and age 6-9 years (p<0.05). CHIKV was associated with use of insect repellents and not using any mosquito bed nets. WNV seropositivity was significantly higher in all children aged above 3 years, those who lived in town/urban areas, use of olyset, supanet and unknown bed nets and in those who lived in houses roofed with tiles and iron sheets (p<0.05). ConclusionArbovirus exposure among children is influenced by age, female gender, non-parental primary care giver, failure to use mosquito bed nets, type of bed net, use of insect repellents, and house roofing material. Interventions targeting housing improvements, education on bed net and mosquito repellent use, and environmental mosquito control can reduce infection risks in endemic areas. Author SummaryYellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile are arboviruses transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. They are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and often affect children. However, the associated factors for these infections in children are not well understood, yet identifying these factors is crucial for early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and effective prevention. In this study, we aimed to identify some of the factors associated with these infections among children in Western Kenya. We enrolled 656 children, aged 1 to 12 years, who sought healthcare at Alupe Sub-County Hospital and KEMRI Alupe Clinic in Teso Sub-County. Data on socio-demographic, behavioural, environmental, and clinical factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and tested for antibodies to yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. Among the 656 participants, 182 (27.7%) were seropositive for at least one of the four viruses: 29 (4.4%) for yellow fever, 102 (15.7%) for dengue, 36 (5.6%) for chikungunya, and 62 (9.6%) for West Nile virus. Our analysis revealed several factors that were associated with arboviral infections, including age, gender, type of primary care giver, mosquito net usage and type, other mosquito control practices and house roof design. These factors all have an in common an increased risk of mosquito bites. Our study highlights the potential for community-based interventions targeting housing improvements, education on bed net and mosquito control measures to mitigate transmission of these infections in endemic areas of Kenya.