Erica ACHIDI1, AlexisTazinya1,Paul Koki2, Anne-Cécile ZOUNG-KANYI 1
1Mboppi Baptist Hospital Douala; 2University of Yaounde 1
CaHReF 2018, Yaoundé Congres hall, 08 – 11 January 2019 , OSEP082
Background: Scabies is a neglected tropical disease with its greatest impact on children. It is a highly contagious skin disease which affects both males and females, and is related primarily to poverty, overcrowding, famine, wars and migration. Epidemiological studies of scabies in school children are limited in Cameroon.
Objectif: This study sought to determine the prevalence of scabies, and factors associated with scabies in 5 –15 year olds in the Buea.
Methodology: A primary school-based cross-sectional study, involving 1,291 randomly selected school age children from 17 primary schools was carried out over a period of three months. After all ethical considerations were obliged, socio-demographic, and environmental data were collected using a structured questionnaire and the children were clinically examined thereafter. The data was analyzed using the statistical software EpiInfoâ„¢ version 7.
Results: Out of 1,291 children studied, 643 were males and 648 females, with a mean age of 8.6 ±2.1 years. Fifty-five (4.26%) cases of scabies were identified. The prevalence of scabies infestation in males (3.57%) was not statistically significant from that of females (4.93%) pupils. Majority of the children (94.5%) presented with classical scabies. The most common clinical features were pruritus (86%) and papular rash (100%). Maternal occupation, family history of itchy rash, sharing clothes or a bed with others, and water scarcity, not ironing clothes or bathing daily, and not changing clothes frequently was significantly associated with scabies infestation.
Conclusion/Recommandation: Results of the study suggests that in our community, scabies is still an important health problem affecting school aged children. These findings suggest the need for an improvement in environmental and social hygiene, and the provision of adequate water supply to reduce or eliminate this important great neglected disease in children
Key Words:Scabies, Primary schools, children