Abstract:
Background: - Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that causes a
pruritic skin eruption. In Ethiopia, the disease is common especially during natural or manmade
disasters such as flooding, drought, civil war and conflict, poor water supply and sanitation, and
overcrowding living condition. Though scabies is becoming a major public health problem,
especially in low resource settings. Scabies is a common problem in school age children and
there is limited study done on scabies in the study area.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Scabies among
School-Age Children in Kersa Malima District Southwest Shoa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia,
2024.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted January 29 /2024 to March
15/2024 among school-age children in Kersa Malima district, Southwest Shoa Zone in Oromia
Region, Ethiopia. A total of 692 study participants were selected by using simple random
sampling technique and data collected using a questionnaire developed from different Literature.
Descriptive analysis was done and displayed by using texts, figures, tables and Binary logistic
regression analysis was used to see the relationship between dependent and independent
variables. The odds ratio with 95% CI was computed. P-values <0.25 was used in bivariable
logistic regression analysis to select candidate variables for multivariable logistic regression.
Finally, p-value <0.05 were used on the final model to declare a statistically significant variable.
Result The overall response rate was 98.2%. Prevalence of scabies among school age children
(7-15) was 34.1% (95%CI: 31.54, 36.60). Having unprotected water used for body
washing(AOR=14.50,95%CI 7.17,29.32), every month bathing (AOR=26.4, 95%CI
8.494,82.06), <1500income per month(AOR=11.45 95%CI, 3.178, 41.27), they live in a one
room house (AOR=6.49,CI95%1.939,21.77), sleeping on the floor
(AOR=8.154,95%CI:2.696,24.661) had a statistically significant association with scabies
infestation among school age children.
Conclusion: There was high prevalence of scabies infestation among school-age children in
Kersa Malima district. Factors like, water used for body washing, Frequency of bathing, income
per month, Number of room in house, place of sleep were significant associated with scabies.
Therefore Special attention should be give for school age children by concerned authority.
