Prevalence and etiology of dermatomycoses among children in Anambra State of Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatomycoses remain an important public health problem the world over, despite ever-improving therapeutic measures. Information on the pattern of dermatomycoses in Anambra State of Nigeria is sketchy and neccessitates this work. Between 2002 and 2005 a total of 47,723 school children were screened for presence, on the body, of typical dermatomycotic lesions. Of the 47,723 children, 5009 (10.50%) had lesions distributed as follows: Scalp (4498 or 89.80%), glabrous skin (359 or 7.16%), foot (60 or 1.20%) and nail (92 or 1.84%). Schools in rural agricultural parts of the State had high prevalence of the affliction, while those at the urbanized areas had lower prevalence. Scalp infection was significantly more in males than females (P0.05). Children below the age of 10yrs were significantly more afflicted with scalp infection than older children (P < 0.10), although no significant age related pattern was noted for infections in other body locations (P > 0.10). Of the species isolated, Microsporum audouinii was the most prevalent (38.9%) and was also the predominant cause of scalp infections (40.6%). Microsporum ferrugineum was the commonest cause of skin infections (36.7%). Candida albicans caused the majority of foot infections (80%), as well as nail infections (56%); Trichophyton rubrum was the second major cause of nail infection (44%). There is the need for improvement in living conditions of the population in Anambra State of Nigeria. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 1-8