Tinea capitis among primary school children in onitsha north and ogbaru local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A critical analysis of the incidence of the infection tinea capitis amongst pupils in public primary schools in Onitsha North and Ogbaru Local Government Areas of Anambra State, Nigeria were carried out. The study was carried out on pupils within the ages of six and fourteen years. The duration of the study was from February to November 2003. 450 pupils comprising 268 (59.6%) males and 182 (40.4%) females were screened. 67 of them were found to be infected with tinea capitis. This number is equal to 14.9% of the total population. Of the number positive to tinea capitis, 21(31.3%) were female while 46(68.7%) were males. Tinea capitis infection was more in males than in females. Ratio of infection of males to females is 2:1. Species of dermatophytes isolated include: Trichophyton mentagrophytes 25(37.3%), Trichophyton tonsurans 18(26.9%), Trichophyton soudanense 10(14.9%), and Microsporum canis 10(14.9%). Also isolated were Mucor species 4(5.9%) which are present as contaminants. Age, playing habits of children, low socio economic status of parents together with poor personal hygiene were found to favour the incidence of the disease. Boys were infected more than girls because of excessive body contact and playing in sand. The hormone, progesterone, which inhibits the growth of Trichophyton and Microsporum species are lower in males than females.

Keywords: Tinea Capitis, School Children, hygiene, disease.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 4 (2) 2006 pp. 28-31