WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

May Pont Pont Kyaw, Cho Cho Oo, Khin Nwe Nwe Oo and Moe Oo Thant*

ABSTRACT

Context: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. It is becoming significant public health problem, especially in resource-limited developing countries, as the aftermath of natural disasters. Leptospirosis is mostly present as mild acute non-specific febrile illness and some as severe leptospirosis, Weil’s disease, pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome or hepatic failure. Objectives: To determine the occurrence of leptospiral IgG antibodies in high-risk group in tropical urban region and identify the potential-associated factors such as demographic, socioeconomic and occupational-related factors among fishermen in Amarapura Township. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 151 fishermen in Amarapura Township to test for the presence of leptospiral IgG by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay during January to September 2018. Results: Among 151 participants, seropositivity in leptospiral IgG was recorded in 19 participants (12.6%) and most participants (16/19, 84.2%) were male. The highest seropositivity rate was shown in 31-40 years age group (15.4%). In the current study, there was no one who used boots or gloves to the working places or while working in the water. The leptospiral IgG was found in eight participants with injuries (8/42, 19.1%) and 14 peoples with animal contact (14/96, 14.6%). The results from this study showed no significant association between leptospiral IgG seropositivity and potential-associated factors. Conclusion: The results in the present study rendered the information on leprospiral seropositivity and related factors in fishermen and hopefully became informative to increase awareness of the disease among the fishermen and to contribute in preventing the transmission in endemic area.

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