Prevalence and Pattern of Skin Infections and Infestations among Primary School Pupils in Ijesha Land

Abstract

Background: The prevalence and pattern of skin infections and infestations have not been adequately studied in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of skin infections and infestations (STI) among primary school pupils living in Ijesa-land, Western Nigeria. Design: Amulti-staged randomised cross sectional descriptive study. Methodology: Interview schedules, physical and laboratory examinations were conducted"..... among 1,120 pupils (546 boys and 574 girls) recruited by stratified random sampling total of 544 SII were found among 453 (40.4 percent) pupils, whilst 667 (59.6 percent) pupils had none. Impetigo contagiosa, dermatophytosis, pityriasis versicolor and scabies were the leading SII found, with prevalences of 19.4, 15.0, 6.1, and 4.3 percent, respectively. - Except for pityriasis versicolor, Sll were more common in boys than girls. Furthermore, pityriasis versicolor was more commonly seen among older pupils aged nine years and over (p<0.001), dermatophytosis was more common among the younger pupils while all the other skin diseases showed no significant différences byage grouping. The head was the most common se site affected by SII, while most impetiginous lesions were on the lower limbs. Tinea capitis and pityriasis versicolor were predominantly located on the scalp and face, respectively Conclusion: Skin infections and infestations in school children deserve a serious public health concern and action. Appropriate intervention programmes should be pursued to reduce their burden..