Project Description

Author: Hasan et al.

Summary:

Introduction: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of scabies among the children living in the Madrasahs (Islamic religious educational institution) of Bangladesh was the objective of the study.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in eight selected Madrasahs from May to October 2023 among male and female children aged between 3-18 years. Children were screened for scabies according to criteria developed by the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies.

Results: It was found that overall prevalence of scabies among the children living in Madrasahs was almost 34% (mild 73.5%, moderate 24.9% and severe 1.6%). Prevalence of scabies among male was higher than female (39.4 vs 28.4). Male gender (aOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.41, 5.48), age between 7 to 14 years (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.10, 2.55) were two significant predictors of scabies among children. Besides, children who lived in Madrasahs having more than 100 boarders (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.04, 3.32), shared a toilet with more than twenty children (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.14, 5.32), took bath less than once daily (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.07, 2.58), shared bedding, clothes or toilet stuffs with other children (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.13, 2.31) and history of pruritus in the close entourage (aOR 3.76, 95% CI 2.74, 5.18) were associated with a higher chance of being infected by scabies.

Conclusion: Almost one-third of the children living in the Islamic boarding schools of Bangladesh were suffering from scabies. These findings can help to overcome the scabies problem among children.

Keywords: Scabies; Neglected tropical disease; Madrasahs; Infectious Disease; Itching

Status: Ongoing

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