Defining the need for public health control of scabies in Solomon Islands

by Susanna J. Lake, Daniel Engelman, Oliver Sokana, Titus Nasi, Dickson Boara, Anneke C. Grobler, Millicent H. Osti, Ross Andrews, Michael Marks, Margot J. Whitfeld, Lucia Romani, John M. Kaldor, Andrew C. Steer Pacific Island countries have a high burden of scabies and impetigo. Understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases is needed to target public health interventions such as mass drug administration (MDA). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of scabies and impetigo in Solomon I slands as well as the relationship between them and their distribution. We conducted a prevalence study in 20 villages in Western Province in Solomon Islands. All residents of the village were eligible to participate. Nurses conducted clinical assessments including history features and skin examinat ion. Diagnosis of scabies was made using the 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies diagnostic criteria. Assessments were completed on 5239 participants across 20 villages. Overall scabies prevalence was 15.0% (95%CI 11.8–19.1). There was considerable variation by village with a ra nge of 3.3% to 42.6%. There was a higher prevalence of scabies in males (16.7%) than females (13.5%, adjusted relative risk 1.2, 95%CI 1.1–1.4). Children aged under two years had the highest prevalence (27%). Overall impetigo prevalence was 5.6% (95%CI 4.2–7.3), ranging from 1.4% to 19% by villa ge. The population attributable risk of impetigo associated with scabies was 16.1% (9...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research