Date of Conferral

7-30-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Raymond Panas

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis, a severe parasitic disease that is invariably fatal, is characterized by frequent outbreaks, and is associated with poverty. South Sudan is among the countries with the highest burden of visceral leishmaniasis. However, few studies have investigated factors associated with visceral leishmaniasis in the country. This study investigated demographic (age, gender, marital status, education level and occupation) and socioeconomic factors (transport, access to health services and residence) that may be associated with visceral leishmaniasis infection in South Sudan. The study was anchored on the socioecological model conceptual framework, which describes the interaction between individual and their social environment and how these factors influence the health of the population. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was used. The sample consisted of N = 396 participants, who were 18 years and older and resided in the villages where visceral leishmaniasis has been reported in the last two years. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binary logistic regression. Gender [X2 (1, N = 396) = 40.477, p < .001] and level of education [X2 (3, N = 396) = 16.989, p < .001] were the only factors that were statistically associated with visceral leishmaniasis infection. These factors should be considered in the development and implementation of visceral leishmaniasis control and elimination strategies. The findings of this study contribute to positive social change by providing empirical evidence to inform advocacy, risk communication, and information, education and communication strategies aimed at strengthening visceral leishmaniasis control and elimination efforts in South Sudan and other endemic settings.

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