Awareness and knowledge of scabies and ringworm among parents of school-age children in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for prevention of superficial skin infestations.

CONTEXT: Risk factors for the persistence of superficial skin infestations are prevalent in humid tropical environments, which are favorable for breeding of the causative vector mite Sarcoptes scabiei (ectoparasite) and dermatophyte fungi.

AIM: This study aimed at assessing the awareness and knowledge of childhood scabies and ringworm infestations among parents in Calabar, a highly humid rainforest tropical environment.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design and systematic random sampling were used to recruit school-age children in selected primary schools in Calabar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Researcher-driven administration of a structured questionnaire was conducted to obtain quantitative data from parents of recruited children.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: : Chi-square was used to assess factors associated with ever hearing or seeing scabies and ringworm infestations. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-two (56.7%) and 218 (67.9%) of the respondents had heard of or seen scabies and ringworm infestation. Among respondents that were aware of scabies, 53.3% knew of the cause, 50.5% were aware of the risk factors while 68.1% and 78.0% knew their treatment and prevention, respectively; 98.6%, 60.6%, 76.6%, and 80.7% of respondents knew the cause, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of ringworm infestation, respectively. Fathers with at least secondary school literacy level and sharing beds were significantly associated with awareness of scabies.

CONCLUSION: There is a suboptimal level of awareness and knowledge of two of the most common superficial skin infestations among parents of primary school children in the study setting. There is a need to redouble our effort at sensitization of parents toward improved awareness of these common infestations.