Burden and drivers of Human Scabies among children and adults in Northwestern Ethiopia: The case of the neglected tropical disease

Abstract

Background: Scabies is an intensely pruritic, highly contagious skin infestation and was added to the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases in 2013. Although it remains common across the world, it is a major health issue in the developing world that be surely considered as a neglected tropical disease. This study was aimed to explore the burden and drivers of human scabies among children and adults in Northwestern Ethiopia. Methods & Materials: An Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia health institutions, where the majority of residents are rural dwellers. The study was conducted from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were also performed to express different variables and to examine factors associated with human scabies infestation. Results: Among the 320 study respondents, 251 (78.4%) were scabetic and 68 (21.6%) were non scabetic. The incidence was higher in males 185 (57.8%), hence has a male/female (M/F) ratio of 1.37/1. Spring was the main season in which scabies had been prevalent in most patients 94 (29.4%), followed by winter 84 (26.3%). The prevalence rate of scabies in families with low household density was higher than in those with higher household density, (65%) Vs 35%. Low incomes (AOR = 13.109, 95% CI = 2.864-60.012, P = 0.001), living in a house of single room (AOR = 328.4, 95% CI = 14.486-7444, P = 0.000), poor hygiene (AOR = 15.106, 95% CI = 1.73-131.96, P = 0.014) and sharing clothes (60.9%; AOR = 5.465, 95% CI = 1.341-22.273); P = 0.018) were found to be strong drivers of scabies infestation. Conclusion: In our community, scabies is still an important health problem affecting young group of people, especially in rural areas. The disease associated with poor living conditions, overcrowding, and poor personal hygiene, and is still endemic in rural communities and causes both distress and discomfort to community. Taking into consideration the heightened importance of reducing this parasite burden, different stakeholders working in the public health sectors should provide a comprehensive and customized education to the public so as to improve their knowledge about the disease prevention.