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Scabies among children in Police and Army Barracks and at Mado Village of Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria
Abstract
Introduction: Several species of mites infest humans and can thereby transmit certain diseases like rickettsial pox and scrub typhus. Furthermore, Sarcoptic acariasis, a non-infectious but contagious disease, is caused by the skin-burrowing mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. This infection has been a public health problem for long, particularly in the less developed countries.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of scabies among pre-adolescent children in the police and army barracks, as well as in Mado Village of Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done. The study subjects consisted of pre-adolescent children, aged 0 to 10 years found at the police and army barracks, and Mado village. By means of probability sampling technique, 330,105 and 105 children were selected from Mado village, police and army barracks respectively. Questionnaires were designed to ascertain factors, which may be associated with scabies. These factors included maternal literacy, sanitation status, over crowding and health knowledge. Chi-square test was used to establish association between scabies and risk factors, and the student t-test for the comparison of means.
Results: There was significantly higher prevalence rate of 16.2% in the police barracks than 5.7% at the army barracks, and 16.1% in Mado Village. At the police barracks, more males (6.2%) than females (43.5%) were infected; while at Mado village, slightly more females (9.1%) than males (7.0%) were infected. Prevalence of scabies was 25.0%, which is the highest among children aged 2 to 3 years and those of 10 years old at the police barracks followed by those in age-group 4 to 5 years (24.0%). At the army barracks, highest prevalence (12.5%) was among children aged 6 to 7 years, and at Mado village, it was commonest among the under-fives (7.0%) and least common in those over 10 years of age (2.4%). At Mado village, no association was established between scabies and maternal literacy level, over crowding and health knowledge. There was a strong association between scabies and personal hygiene (P<0.05). There was also association between scabies and overcrowding, poor personal hygiene, and low socio-economic status in the two barracks.
Conclusion: This study has shown that scabies is a health problem in the barracks and Mado village, Plateau State of Nigeria. Scabies infection was associated with over crowding, infrequent bathing and scarcity of water. The literacy level, socio-economic class that correlated with awareness of the mothers were contributory factors. Improved housing conditions of both policemen and soldiers, as well as for the general public are recommended. Improved health, and levels of personal and domestic hygiene should be encouraged.
Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.1(4) 2003: 40-47
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of scabies among pre-adolescent children in the police and army barracks, as well as in Mado Village of Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done. The study subjects consisted of pre-adolescent children, aged 0 to 10 years found at the police and army barracks, and Mado village. By means of probability sampling technique, 330,105 and 105 children were selected from Mado village, police and army barracks respectively. Questionnaires were designed to ascertain factors, which may be associated with scabies. These factors included maternal literacy, sanitation status, over crowding and health knowledge. Chi-square test was used to establish association between scabies and risk factors, and the student t-test for the comparison of means.
Results: There was significantly higher prevalence rate of 16.2% in the police barracks than 5.7% at the army barracks, and 16.1% in Mado Village. At the police barracks, more males (6.2%) than females (43.5%) were infected; while at Mado village, slightly more females (9.1%) than males (7.0%) were infected. Prevalence of scabies was 25.0%, which is the highest among children aged 2 to 3 years and those of 10 years old at the police barracks followed by those in age-group 4 to 5 years (24.0%). At the army barracks, highest prevalence (12.5%) was among children aged 6 to 7 years, and at Mado village, it was commonest among the under-fives (7.0%) and least common in those over 10 years of age (2.4%). At Mado village, no association was established between scabies and maternal literacy level, over crowding and health knowledge. There was a strong association between scabies and personal hygiene (P<0.05). There was also association between scabies and overcrowding, poor personal hygiene, and low socio-economic status in the two barracks.
Conclusion: This study has shown that scabies is a health problem in the barracks and Mado village, Plateau State of Nigeria. Scabies infection was associated with over crowding, infrequent bathing and scarcity of water. The literacy level, socio-economic class that correlated with awareness of the mothers were contributory factors. Improved housing conditions of both policemen and soldiers, as well as for the general public are recommended. Improved health, and levels of personal and domestic hygiene should be encouraged.
Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.1(4) 2003: 40-47
