Prevalence of Visceral Leishmaniasis among Wildlife Rangers in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a significant public health concern in Sudan, particularly among populations exposed to vector-rich environments. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of VL and associated risk factors among Wildlife Rangers in Dinder National Park, Sudan.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted among all 500 wildlife rangers in Dinder National Park using total population sampling. Data were collected using a pre-prepared and pre-tested questionnaire covering demographic information, risk factors, and clinical signs and symptoms of VL. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to assess the association between VL prevalence and various risk factors.

The prevalence of VL was 27.6%. Significant associations were observed between VL prevalence and educational level (p = 0.001), military rank (p = 0.004), with soldiers showing a reduced risk compared to officers (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27-0.75), and knowledge of (VL signs and symptoms (p = 0.000), with a substantially lower risk among the unaware group (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.39)., transmission methods (p = 0.000), with lower odds in the unaware group (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.21-0.61), and control measures (p = 0.012), with reduced odds for the unaware group (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.34-1.18).), and sleeping under a mosquito net (p = 0.001), with higher odds in those not using a net (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.28-2.92).

The high prevalence of VL among wildlife rangers in Dinder National Park underscores the need for targeted public health intervention. Strategies should include enhancing educational programs, improving awareness of VL prevention and control measures, and ensuring better access to protective measures, such as mosquito nets. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, detailed environmental assessments, and intervention trials to further reduce the burden of VL in high-risk populations.