Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey
Abstract Background Scabies, a parasitic disease of the skin, is a major public health problem, largely affecting children. Scabies is often complicated by impetigo which can result in serious complications including invasive infections and immune mediated diseases. Scabies and impetigo are reported...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4382-8 |
| _version_ | 1818547852448628736 |
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| author | Millicent H. Osti Oliver Sokana Sophie Phelan Michael Marks Margot J. Whitfeld Christina Gorae John M. Kaldor Andrew C. Steer Daniel Engelman |
| author_facet | Millicent H. Osti Oliver Sokana Sophie Phelan Michael Marks Margot J. Whitfeld Christina Gorae John M. Kaldor Andrew C. Steer Daniel Engelman |
| author_sort | Millicent H. Osti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Scabies, a parasitic disease of the skin, is a major public health problem, largely affecting children. Scabies is often complicated by impetigo which can result in serious complications including invasive infections and immune mediated diseases. Scabies and impetigo are reported to have high prevalence in tropical settings including the Solomon Islands. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey at Gizo Primary School in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands in August 2018. The diagnosis of scabies was based on criteria developed by the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies in 2018. Population attributable risk was calculated to determine the effect of scabies on the prevalence of impetigo, and both adjusted and unadjusted risk ratios were calculated to identify differences between sexes and age groups. Results A total of 324 students were assessed (47.5% of those enrolled at the school). The prevalence of scabies was 54.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.7–59.8) and most disease was mild (68.8%). The prevalence was higher in males (63.5%; adjusted risk ratio [ARR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), and in those aged 10–12 years (61.4%; ARR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9 when compared to those aged 4–6 years). The prevalence of impetigo was 32.1%, with males more likely to be affected (41.7%, ARR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) but with no significant differences between age groups. 63.5% of those with impetigo had scabies, corresponding to a population attributable risk of 11.8%. Conclusions There is a very high burden of scabies and impetigo among primary school students in Gizo. There is a critical need for the development and implementation of control programs in areas where scabies is endemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T08:12:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dfa0264167244d9aafca5ccd8fc7ea8c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T08:12:12Z |
| publishDate | 2019-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-dfa0264167244d9aafca5ccd8fc7ea8c2022-12-22T00:31:45ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342019-09-011911710.1186/s12879-019-4382-8Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school surveyMillicent H. Osti0Oliver Sokana1Sophie Phelan2Michael Marks3Margot J. Whitfeld4Christina Gorae5John M. Kaldor6Andrew C. Steer7Daniel Engelman8Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteMinistry of Health and Medical ServicesKirby Institute, University of New South WalesClinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineSt Vincent’s HospitalMinistry of Health and Medical ServicesKirby Institute, University of New South WalesTropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteTropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteAbstract Background Scabies, a parasitic disease of the skin, is a major public health problem, largely affecting children. Scabies is often complicated by impetigo which can result in serious complications including invasive infections and immune mediated diseases. Scabies and impetigo are reported to have high prevalence in tropical settings including the Solomon Islands. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey at Gizo Primary School in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands in August 2018. The diagnosis of scabies was based on criteria developed by the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies in 2018. Population attributable risk was calculated to determine the effect of scabies on the prevalence of impetigo, and both adjusted and unadjusted risk ratios were calculated to identify differences between sexes and age groups. Results A total of 324 students were assessed (47.5% of those enrolled at the school). The prevalence of scabies was 54.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.7–59.8) and most disease was mild (68.8%). The prevalence was higher in males (63.5%; adjusted risk ratio [ARR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), and in those aged 10–12 years (61.4%; ARR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9 when compared to those aged 4–6 years). The prevalence of impetigo was 32.1%, with males more likely to be affected (41.7%, ARR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) but with no significant differences between age groups. 63.5% of those with impetigo had scabies, corresponding to a population attributable risk of 11.8%. Conclusions There is a very high burden of scabies and impetigo among primary school students in Gizo. There is a critical need for the development and implementation of control programs in areas where scabies is endemic.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4382-8ScabiesImpetigoDiagnostic accuracySarcoptes scabieiNeglected tropical diseases |
| spellingShingle | Millicent H. Osti Oliver Sokana Sophie Phelan Michael Marks Margot J. Whitfeld Christina Gorae John M. Kaldor Andrew C. Steer Daniel Engelman Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey BMC Infectious Diseases Scabies Impetigo Diagnostic accuracy Sarcoptes scabiei Neglected tropical diseases |
| title | Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey |
| title_full | Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey |
| title_short | Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey |
| title_sort | prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the solomon islands a school survey |
| topic | Scabies Impetigo Diagnostic accuracy Sarcoptes scabiei Neglected tropical diseases |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4382-8 |
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