Prevalence of superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State

Abstract

Skin fungal infections are common global problems with attendant morbidity among<br />affected individuals. Children are mostly affected because of predisposing factors such as<br />poverty, overcrowding, and lack of guidance. Investigation on the prevalence of<br />superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils was carried out in Awka South<br />Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Six public primary schools were<br />selected for this study. The samples were collected by scrapping and use of a sterile swab.<br />Microscopy and culturing methods were used to identify the infections. Of the 870 pupils<br />examined, 353 (40.57%) had various skin fungal infections; Tinea capitis 229 (64.87%),<br />Tinea corporis 96 (27.20%), Tinea faciei 25 (7.08%), and Tinea pedis 3 (0.85%). Sixtyfive<br />(18.41%) had multiple skin fungal infections; 21 (31.34%) pupils from Obiora<br />Primary School, Mbaukwu, recorded the highest, while Community Primary School,<br />Amawbia 3 (7.32%) recorded the least infection (P> 0.05). Two hundred and twenty-nine<br />pupils (64.87%) had the highest prevalence of Tinea capitis, while 3 (0.85%) pupils had<br />the least infection recorded for Tinea pedis. Pupils from Central Primary School, Nibo, 82<br />(56.55%), had the highest prevalence, while 39 (26.90%) pupils from the Central Primary<br />School, Umuawulu had the least infection. The age group of five to nine years was more<br />infected than the 10–14-year age group. More male (199 (56.37%)) than females pupils<br />were infected with skin fungal infections; this difference was not statistically significant.<br />Poor personal hygiene and intimate association with household pets among the children<br />were the suspected sources of infection. Therefore, there was an urgent need for mass<br />treatment of superficial fungal infections in all the primary schools examined.