Dermatophytosis among Itinerant Quranic Scholars in Kano (Northwest) Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a major public health problem in Nigeria. This is a cross – sectional descriptive study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting five Quranic schools for the study. A total of 2,150 scholars were examined. Two hundred and five (9.5%) were found to be infected with dermatophytes. The age groups mostly affected were 10 – 14 years. A total of 215 isolates of dermatophytes were recovered. Five species of dermatophytes were isolated from all the species. Trichophyton rubum (50.2%) being the most prevelant followed by Microsporum audouinii (26.5%). Trichophyton rubrom was the only dermatophyte that was recovered from all sites apart from the buttocks. Periodic inspection of the Quranic schools just as it is expected of the primary school children will reduce the incidence of dermatophytosis. It is therefore suggested that the Quranic schools should be integrated into the western system of education.

Keywords: Dermatophytoses, Quranic School Children, Kano

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 53 (3) 2008: pp. 33-35