02412nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001260003100042653002600073653002700099653002800126653001600154653001400170100002600184245010200210856009300312300001200405490002500417520177600442       2026                            d  c08/2026bWalden University10aDemographic variables10aSocio-economic factors10aLeishmaniasis, Visceral10aSouth Sudan10aInfection1 aDuncan Ochieng Ochol 00aDemographic and Socioeconomic Factors Related to Visceral Leishmaniasis Infection in South Sudan   uhttps://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=22945&context=dissertations  a1 - 1190 vDoctor of Philosophy3 a<p>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&nbsp;years. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binary logistic regression. Gender [X 2 (1, N = 396) = 40.477, p &lt; .001] and level of education [X 2 (3, N = 396) = 16.989, p &lt; .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.</p>