Prevalence of scabies in dermatology clinic

Dr N L SIRISHA; Dr K.Narotham Reddy; Dr M.Pavan kumar; Dr S.Sowjanya

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2016

Prevalence of scabies in dermatology clinic

Dr N L Sirisha, Dr K. Narotham Reddy, Dr M. Pavan Kumar, Dr S. Sowjanya

Abstract :

Background: The burden of scabies is highest in tropical countries. Scabies is a common parasitic infestation of global proportion. It is a highly contagious skin disease which affects both males and females of all socioeconomic status and race. Objective: To estimate the frequency of scabies in patients of a dermatology clinic in RIMS Kadapa. Materials and methods: All patients who presented to the dermatology clinic in RIMS Kadapa during a period of one year (1march 2014 to 1march 2015) were included in the study. Cases of scabies were diagnosed according to conventional criteria Results: A total of 8545 patients who presented to the RIMS Dermatology outpatient clinic with complaints of skin diseases were included in the study. We identified 843 (8.9%) patients with scabies. In males, frequency was 4.26%, while it was 4.66% in females. Conclusion: Prevalence of scabies was high in a dermatology clinic, and welfare hostel children were identified as highrisk group. Mass treatment of scabies either by oral ivermectin or topical permethrin is suggested.