Prevalence and risk factors of scabies among school adolescents in urban Lucknow, India

Abstract

Background: Scabies is found worldwide and affects folks of all races and social categories. Itching unfolds speedily beneath packed conditions wherever the shut body and skin contact is frequent. Establishments like nursing homes, schools, extended-care facilities, prisons, child-care facilities are standard sites of itch infestations and scabies outbreaks. The study objective was to seek out the prevalence and associated risk factors for Scabies among the adolescent school children in urban Lucknow. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent school children between 1st January to 31st March 2020 in urban Lucknow. Information was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire. A trained medical examiner made the identification and clinical diagnosis of infection. Collected information was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by using SPSS software version 23.0. Results: Prevalence of Scabies infection was found to be 23.33%. Age of the student, overcrowding and the type of house was found to be statistically related to the infection. Conclusions: Health education regarding personal hygiene practises is strongly recommended among school going children. Modification of environmental risk factors like overcrowding and improper dwellings, will aid in reducing the spread of scabies.