Dermatophytosis among Primary School Children in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection of the hair, skin, or nails and typically presents with red, itchy, scaly, or raised patches. The major risk factors for infection are contact sports, excessive sweating, contact with animals, poor hygiene, and immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiologic agents of dermatophytosis among primary school children in Jos, Plateau State. A total of 598 elementary school pupils, aged 4-15 years with clinical features of superficial mycoses on different parts of the body and whose parents/guardians signed the consent were recruited to participate in the study. The specimens were collected aseptically by cleaning the infected area with 70% alcohol and scrapping the actively growing edge of the lesions into a sterile foil paper using sterile scalpel blades for each lesion. The samples were transported to the laboratory and subjected to microscopy, culture and identification. Culture confirmed 530(88.6%) of the infections as dermatophytoses with the commonest being tinea capitis. The infection was more common in males than females with 63.4% and 36.6% respectively. The age group predominantly infected was 4-7 years responsible for 49.7% of the infection. Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest agent isolated as the cause of dermatophytosis among the study participants. This study revealed a high prevalence of dermatophytoses among school pupils with males being more affected than females. Children aged 4-7 years are commonly affected with Trichophyton rubrum the major culprit. This emphasis the need for targeted treatment and control of dermatophytosis among primary school pupils.