Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Typhoid Fever Among Febrile Patients in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening public health disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. The disease is a significant health  concern in underdeveloped and most developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa (including Nigeria). The study was aimed at  determining the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with typhoid fever among febrile patients attending three selected hospitals in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 406 febrile patients suspected of typhoid  fever aged 1-70 years (mean age 34 years) in three selected health facilities of Kebbi State, Nigeria from February2021 to October, 2021.  Approximately 20 ml and 10 ml of venous blood was collected from adults and children respectively. Blood culture and biochemical tests were carried out. Patients were administered structured questionnaires to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice toward the  disease. Data obtained from respondents was analysed by descriptive statistics. In this study, the culture identified Salmonella Typhi  prevalence of typhoid fever among febrile study subjects in Kebbi State was 6.4%. A higher prevalence was recorded among males (7.5%) than in females (5.0%) participants. Patients within the age range of 11- 20 years had the highest prevalence (14.8%), those with informal  education recorded 11.2%. It was observed that rural area dwellers had higher prevalence (9.4%). Out of 26 isolates, 25 were susceptible  to cefotaxime, 11 isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin-clavulanate antibiotics. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is an  important and common cause of febrile illness in our population. Lack of good quality drinking water in rural areas has a greater impact  on the burden of typhoid fever among study participants. Cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin therapy are suitable treatments for typhoid fever.  The identification of sociodemographic characteristics associated with the disease are of great importance in providing holistic  preventive approach and control strategies of the disease.