PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF SCABIES IN PAKISTAN

Introduction: Scabies is a neglected contagious skin disease caused by the microscopic mite, Sarcoptesscabiei var. hominis. Aims and objectives: The basic aim of the study is to analyse the prevalence and risk factor of scabies in Pakistan. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in SIMS, Lahore during January 2019 to October 2019. Diagnosis of scabies is confirmed on the presence of burrows, extraction of mite or egg from burrow at the typical site of lesion. In this study diagnosis was made on the presence of active burrows or those transformed into lesions due to secondary bacterial infection or excessive rash (rubbing). Results: The data was collected from 70 patients. Age of patients ranged from 17 to 49 [mean 29.17 (SD 7.13)] years and that of controls ranged from 17 to 50 [mean 29.19 (SD 7.27)] years. Level of education was matriculation (10 years of education) or lower in 27 (86.5%) patients and 13 (66.5%) controls. Out of 70 patients, 30 (90.0%) were living in dormitories of the unit barracks; the corresponding number for controls was 14 (74.5%). We arbitrarily considered family size as large when the number of individuals living in a house or dormitory was > 10; 80 (40%) patients and 28 (42.5%) controls were from large families. Conclusion: It is concluded that the high prevalence of scabies in the study area calls for programs to control this neglected disease and public health problem in the general population, with a special attention to poor communities