Ngure, PeterNzau, AnastasiaKiarie, MarthaWaithima, Abraham K.Bowen, MichaelIngonga, JohnstoneNgumbi, Philip2021-06-102021-06-102017Ngure PK, Nzau AM, Kiarie MW, Waithima AK, Bowen MK, et al. (2017) From Mud and Stick-Walled Houses to Corrugated Iron Sheet Houses: A New Strategy for Preventing Human-Vector Contact in Marigat Sub-County; a Leishmaniasis-Endemic Area in Kenya. Ann Clin Cytol Pathol 3(8): 1083.2475-9430https://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3566Objective: The objective of this study was to assess if improved housing would result in reduced sand fly-human contact which in turn would be assumed to result in reduced chances of leishmaniasis transmission. The transmission of leishmaniasis is heavily influenced by socio-economic factors and this is the main reason why it has been described as the disease of the poor. Methods: This studied compared the sand fly densities in targeted houses before and after improvement. The houses to be improved were selected based on indoor sand fly density, construction materials and economic status of the household. These houses were upgraded to two-roomed corrugated iron sheet houses. Sand fly densities were determined using CDC light traps in the mud and stick-walled grass-thatched houses before moving the occupants to houses made of corrugated iron sheets. 146 houses were used, selected from 670 in the 4 villages. Findings: There were significant differences (p< 0.05) in sand fly densities between the mud, stick-walled houses and the corrugated iron sheet houses; the improved houses had fewer sand flies. The average density of sand flies in stick-walled houses ranged from 32 to 13 compared to 4 to 1 in corrugated iron sheet houses. Conclusion: The improved housing reduces the density of sand flies indoors; in turn reducing the vector–human contact hence reducing the chances of infective bites. This strategy is long lasting and has additional benefits to residents.enMud and Stick-Walled HousesCorrugated Iron Sheet HousesHuman-Vector ContactMarigat Sub-CountyLeishmaniasis-Endemic AreaKenyaArticle