EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF SCABIES IN SKIN AND VD OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT (OPD) OF BIRDEM GENERAL HOSPITAL, DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Khan M. M.*, Ahsan M. K., Islam M. N. and Atiqulla M.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Scabies is a highly contagious disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. The disease is seen in all socioeconomic groups & communities throughout the world. However, the prevalence of scabies varies widely from one country to other. The burden of scabies is highest in tropical countries, but recent data from Bangladesh is scanty. Objective: To find out Epidemiology and Control of Scabies in Skin and VD out Patient Department (OPD) Of BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on patients attending skin and VD outpatient department of BIRDEM General Hospital, Bangladesh during the period of July 2017 to June 2018. Cases of scabies were diagnosed according to conventional criteria. A presumptive diagnosis of scabies is based on symptomatic complaints of pruritus and physical examination of the involved site. Entire body of each patient was examined. Scabies was diagnosed clinically by the presence of erythematous papular, vesicular, pustular or bullous lesions associated with itching, a positive family history (i.e. at least one other family member with similar symptoms) and other pruritic skin diseases were excluded. Results: A total 19,455 patients attended to the skin and VD OPD, were included in this study. This study was total 12,680 were adult (male 9,114, female 5,433) and 4,908 were children. Children were defined as any subject 12 years old and younger. We identified 12,680 patients with scabies. The total prevalence was 65.1%. Prevalence in male, female and children were 54.9%, 76.4% and 71.6% respectively. Control in January was highest & was 78%. Most cases were uncomplicated but 17.28% of complicated scabies patients were found. Scabies was more in poor socio-economic group than others. Conclusion: The present study showed a high prevalence of scabies in patients presenting to skin & VD OPD, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Prevalence was higher overall in children. Our data show that scabies is common in patients presenting to skin & VD OPD & this finding may be used as an indicator of the general population.

Keywords: Scabies, Prevalence, Skin Disease, Socioeconomic groups.