Prevalence and risk factors of superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Superficial fungal infections are common in the tropics particularly in the rural areas where children are predisposed. The causative organisms include dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds. To determine the prevalence and risk factors of superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils aged 5- 16 years in Oke-Oyi, Kwara State. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from April through July 2017 among 602 pupils aged 5-16 years in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. Out of the 602 pupils screened during the study, 180 pupils were suspected clinically to have superficial fungal infection and a total of 180 skin specimens were collected from the pupils. The prevalence of clinically suspected fungal infection was 29.9% (180/602), dermatophytes accounted for 16.7% (30/180), while non-dermatophyte moulds accounted for about half of the isolates, 51.7% (93/180). Some of the factors that were significantly associated with the risk of acquisition of dermatophytic infections include age, past history of similar lesions, over-crowding, normal sweat pattern and unkempt socks worn by the pupils among others. This study has shown that superficial fungal infections are common among pupils in Oke-Oyi in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State and the risk factors include among others, young age, past history of skin infections, overcrowding and unkempt socks worn by pupils. Therefore sociodemographic and behavioural factors influence the occurrence of superficial fungal infections in the study area.