Scabies outbreak during 2019 in Al- Daseem, Al-Rusafa-Baghdad: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Scabies is a skin invasion by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite that is transmitted through closepersonal contact. Places such as hospitals, prisons and childcare centers are more vulnerable to outbreaks.Both males and females may have scabies at any age. It is most prevalent in tropical climate countries, amongpoor people who live in rural areas, among displaced populations and among low socio-economic groups dueto crowded living conditions.Objectives: To explore the prevalence of scabies in Al- Daseem area and identify factors associated with anincreased risk of scabies among residents.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to address the 2019 scabies outbreak in Al- Daseemarea which is a poor low social class area located in Al-Rusafa side in Baghdad. Basic data was obtained fromrecords of CDC of the public health department in Al-Rusafa health directorate and from Ali Al-Wardy Schoolfor all cases recorded during 2019, and analyzed using SPSS-23. Data analysis was done on two data sources:The first was all students of Ali Al Wardi School, and the second was residents in this area from whom 20%of the total number of residents were selected by simple random sampling method. Data collected includeage, sex, and having a family member with scabies.Results: The total number of students was 2032, of whom 216 (10.6%) were infected with scabies, 131 malesand 85 females. Fifth grade students had the highest prevalence while grade four students had the lowest.Information on the 11363 residents showed that 746 (6.6%) had scabies with a significant association withage group, male gender and having another family member infected with scabies.Conclusion: The prevalence of scabies in Al-Daseem region was (6.6%), with the associated factors beingmale gender, age group, and having another family member infected with scabies