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Scabies education in secondary schools: A multicenter study
Perpetua Uchechi Ibekwe1, Eshan B Henshaw2, Bolaji Otike-Odibi3, Nnenna U Okoh4, Bob A Ukonu1, Thomas O Nnaji4, Joseph Archibong2, D Altraide3, Chinwe Onyekonwu5, Grace C Okudo4
1 Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
2 Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
3 Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
4 Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria
5 Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku, Enugu State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Perpetua Uchechi Ibekwe
Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_67_19
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Background: The aim of this study was to educate secondary school students on etiology, risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and prevention of scabies; to evaluate their knowledge base on scabies before and after an educational intervention; and to reassess this knowledge base and behavioral change, 6 months after, on a second visit. Methods: Questionnaires with standard questions on scabies, graded to a maximum score of 10, were administered to students in junior secondary Classes 1 and 2 across 4 states in Nigeria. Information obtained included subjects' demographics, scabies symptomatology, risks, and preventive behaviors. Students with active scabies were diagnosed and treated. Data were analyzed with STATA. Results: The mean test scores for the pretest and posttest at first visit were 2.82 ± 1.38 and 6.30 ± 1.09, respectively. This difference was statistically significant at t = 3.95, P = 0.004. Six months later, when the same schools were re-visited, the mean test scores for the pretest and posttest were 4.63 ± 0.54 and 5.87 ± 0.25, respectively. This difference was also significant at t = 4.13, P = 0.003. The prevalence of scabies was 3.5% at first visit and 4.34% at second visit; t = 0.24, P = 0.41. Conclusions: Secondary school students lack basic education on scabies and exhibit high-risk behaviors for scabies transmission. Knowledge on scabies needs constant reinforcement.
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