On the 2th July 2025, JICA-Grassroot sustainable Tungiasis project in Homabay County received JICA-Kyushu officer for JICA Partnership program, Ms. Naomi Nashimiya, and Mr. Elijah Kinyangi, Chief Program Officer, UHC.
The main objectives for their visit were to;
- To visit Vihiga County, the prospective site for the Phase 2 project
- To visit Households of jigger patients in Ndhiwa and Suba-South Sub-Counties
- Follow up on households where floor construction was implemented by Ogawa Construction Company
- To visit and conduct KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) Survey 2 selected primary schools in both sub-counties
- Participate in an Action Day, a Ministry of Health-led awareness activity
- To monitor and follow-up on activities for jigger patients
- Review the 5-year project
The above activities were done for 3 days as follows;
Day 1:
Activity 1
JICA-NUITM met JICA Team in Kisumu and traveled together for a meeting with Vihiga County Health Management Team.
This meeting’s Agenda
- Introduction
- County NTDs burden, Intervention and Challenges.
- Highlights on Tungiasis trial
- JICA presentation
- Preliminary and way forward.
Activity 2
Both teams drove to Ndhiwa Sub-County: Observation of the case activity on living environment improvement through floor construction had been implemented by Ogawa Construction Company to improve the living environment.
This household has 7 members and was all severely infested with jiggers. Treatment and continuous follow-up were done by both JICA-NUITM and Sub-County Ministry of Health.
The Sub-County Community Health Assistant and Ward Public Health Officer joined, and they were able to have an interactive session with the JICA-NUITM staff.
The team was also able to visit a community borehole that provides water to residents.
DAY 2
Observation of Action Day and interviews with Community Health Assistance (CHA) and Community Health Promoters (CHPs)
This activity took place at Ndhiwa Sub-County, Kachwanya Community Unit.
The activity involved the identification, Prevention, and treatment of jigger patients.
Identification This involved the ability of CHPs to appropriately identify live fleas, dead fleas, and assess the severity of infestation.
All the household members were checked by all the CHPs, and those eligible for treatment were determined.
Treatment This involved the treatment. All the CHPs were involved, as some did the explanation and some conducted the treatment together.
This was a very interactive session between the Ministry of Health Staff (CHAs and CHPs) and JICA staff.
The treatment procedure was well done using Potassium paramanganate, Vaseline, soap, water (affected body parts are soaked in 2.5 g of Potassium Paramanganate for 15minutes, air dried, and Vaseline was applied to prevent cracking and Silicone oil NYDA was applied-0.5ml*3times within 10 minutes.
Prevention
The CHPs and CHAs were able to give an elaborate Health talk on bodily hygiene, environmental Hygiene, and overall ways to avoid the risk of contracting jiggers.
The family was then advised that they can also seek medical attention at the sub-county Hospital.
The CHAs and CHPs were able to take all the furniture in the house, conducted thorough cleaning, applied dust suppression powder, and then Dudu Dust on the floor to kill all the fleas.
Activity 2
Visiting a family of 21 in Kadwet CU, Ndhiwa Sub-County, who were previously severely infested with jiggers. After floor improvement by Ogawa Construction Company, significant improvements were observed.
The team had an interactive session with the CHPs, Household head, and JICA-NUITM staff.
This household was a good example of the direct impact of the project’s efforts towards jigger patients. We were able to see the changes in all aspects, i.e., no more stigmatization, active family members who can go about their daily businesses, children going to school, and socializing with their community members.
Activity 3
Conducting KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, Practices) Surveys in Primary Schools
This activity has been ongoing for the past few years, aiming to assess behavior change communication efforts since the introduction of Action Days in Primary Schools which include jigger awareness, prevention and control.
We visited Singenge Primary School, Ndhiwa, one of the initially selected Endemic Primary Schools during the Baseline.
40 Pupils were involved in the exercise together with their Headteacher, CHA, and the School Health Coordinator.
Day 3
Activity 1
Monitoring and Follow-up activities of Tungiasis patients.
Both teams visited a family in Suba-South who were also infested with jiggers, and were living in a severely dilapidated environment.
The CHA and CHPs were present to conduct the treatment and Health talks on prevention management.
Treatment was provided to 2 adults and 2 children by CHAs and CHPs, who also conducted health education on prevention.
Activity 2
KAP in Primary Schools. (Knowledge, Attitude and Practices)
During the Baseline survey, endemic areas were identified, and10 schools in various Community Units (CUs) were selected.
This KAP survey would be the last one for that project.
Activity 3
Having an interactive session was held at JICA -Grassroot, Nagasaki office with both JICA staff and Nagasaki staff.
