Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Superficial Fungal Infections in Toukh Primary Health Care Centre

Abstract

Background: Fungal skin infection has become a significant problem. Therefore accurate diagnosis and treatment of the active disease as well as the reduction of the re-infection by continued screening, follow up of relatives, treating asymptomatic carriers and disinfecting their environment is mandatory. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the frequency of superficial cutaneous fungal infections in Toukh City and to identify the risk factors underlying superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Patients and Methods: Our study investigated prevalence of fungus infections in Toukh Primary Health Care Center, 420 study participants were examined for presence of fungus infection of glabrous skin, hair and nails. All participants completed a questionnaire to estimate their knowledge about superficial fungal infections (SFIs) and to record presence of risk factors for SFIs. Results: The study showed more prevalence of fungal infection (18.6%). Dermatophyte infections were more prevalent than non-dermatophyte (51.2% vs 37.2%) of infected cases. Onychomycosis had prevalence 1.2% of our study participants and 6.4% of infected participants. Candidal infection was (5.2%), tinea (T.) pedis was (3.6%), T. cruris was (2.1%), T. capitis was (1.7%), T. versicolor was (1.7%), T. circinata was (1.2%), T. barbae was (0.5%) and T. corporis was (0.5%) of study participants. Females represent (62.8%) of cases, while males represent (37.2%). Concerning with predisposing factor was contact with animals (70.5%). (57.1%) of infected participants were diabetics, (71.4%) of infected participants were usually wearing synthetic clothes, (64.1%) of infected participants shared towel between family members and (73.1%) shared hair brush. Conclusion: Skin fungal infections are widely prevalent among the population and there is need to increase the awareness of risk factors contributing to skin fungal infections. Awareness in relation to personal hygiene, education status and occupation do play a part in genesis of SFIs.