Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and its associated factors among primary school children: A school-based cross-sectional survey in the Rufiji district, Tanzania

Mary Joseph; Vivian Mushi; Hoseenu Palilo; Valeria Silvestri; Clemence Kinabo; Irene Mshana; Suleiman Chombo; Ismail Ndaile; Donath Tarimo

doi:10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100365

Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and its associated factors among primary school children: A school-based cross-sectional survey in the Rufiji district, Tanzania

IJID Reg. 2024 Apr 6:11:100365. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100365. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Mary Joseph¹, Vivian Mushi^{1

2}, Hoseenu Palilo¹, Valeria Silvestri¹, Clemence Kinabo¹, Irene Mshana³, Suleiman Chombo⁴, Ismail Ndaile⁵, Donath Tarimo¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
² Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
³ Central Pathology Laboratory, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
⁴ Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
⁵ Department of Community Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and its associated factors among primary school children (PSC) in the Rufiji district.

Methods: A quantitative school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 447 PSC in the Rufiji district. The prevalence of scabies among PSC was determined by clinical examination and by microscopic examination of skin samples for the presence of S. scabiei. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on factors associated with S. scabiei infestation. Descriptive analysis, Fisher's exact, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: The prevalence of scabies was 2.0%. Of the assessed factors, only physical contact with a person having itchy skin lesions (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=4.04, 95%CI 4.39-12.50) and infrequency of changing clothes before laundry (AOR=2.99, 95%CI 1.35-4.94) were significantly associated with scabies. The majority of participants demonstrated low levels of knowledge, with half exhibiting poor attitudes and inappropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors.

Conclusions: There was an ongoing transmission of scabies among PSC in the Rufiji district, with the factors associated with the transmission being physical contact with a person who had an itchy skin lesion and the infrequency of changing clothes before laundry. Therefore, there is a need for regular clinical screening and treatment of positive cases with preventive measures on contact and provision of health education.

Keywords: Primary School Children; Sarcoptes scabiei; Scabies.