Scabies and its associated factors among under 15 years children in Wadila district, Northern Ethiopia, 2019

INTRODUCTION: scabies is a contagious ectoparasite of the skin. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis that causes a pruritic skin eruption. It was estimated that more than 300 million cases of scabies occur worldwide every year. It remains one of the commonest skin diseases seen in developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine scabies prevalence and its associated factors among less than 15 years children in Wadila district, Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 583 participants from January 30(th) to February 28(th) 2019. Multistage sampling technique was used and data were collected using pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. SPSS version 23.0 was used for analysis and bivariable logistic regression was computed and variables having p < 0.25 was modelled in multi-variable logistic regression to control confounders. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: the prevalence of scabies infestation was 23.8% in Wadila district. Not using of soap when taking shower [AOR=2.93 (95% CI:1.72-5.00)], using unimproved water source [AOR=1.82 (95% CI:1.04-3.16)], sharing clothes from scabies cases [AOR=10.10 (95% CI: 3.37-30.23)], uncleaning of the house every day [AOR=2.28 (95% CI: 1.32-3.95)], presence of pet animals at home [AOR= 3.01(95% CI: 1.66-5.45)] and went to epidemic areas of scabies [AOR= 4.09 (95% CI: 2.37-7.06) were predictors of scabies infestation. CONCLUSION: there was higher prevalence of scabies infestation in Wadila district. Therefore, special attention should be given to under 15 years children.