Incident, pattern and trends of scabies on randomly selected secondary schools’ students in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study explored the determinants of Scabies infections in Secondary Schools across Anambra State to understand the dynamics and identify measures that will help reduce disease burden. A survey of Scabies infection was conducted on 5000 Students selected from fifty (50) randomly selected secondary schools in Anambra State. Focus group discussions, direct clinical observations and microscopic examinations were employed in this study. Data were categorized based on clinical features and was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The result revealed itching to be the most prevalent in both the males (23.69%) and females 10.93%) followed by sleeping disturbances in males (15.40%) and females (7.02%). The findings also revealed that the distribution of scabies based on topographical locations and lesions were more prone to abdomen, inter-digital, legs, elbows, wrists and armpits than other parts of the body in both the male and female students examined. The risk factors associated with scabies infection in this research include sharing of beds, pillows, clothes and overcrowding which had a big effect on the infestation while others such as bathing habits, use of soaps had little effect. The majority of the participant was not aware of the real causes of scabies. Skin-to-skin contact was recorded as the most prevalent mode of transmission. On the treatment, most students patronize traditional medicine dealers, few consults patent medicine dealers, physicians and pharmacists. Public health enlightenment campaigns and school/community education programs may help in controlling these emerging epidemics in Anambra State and Nigeria in general.