Abstract

PREVALENCE OF TINEA CAPITIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN OVOM-AMA-ASAA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Ezeadila Joachim O.*, Ubani Cleandon C., Kyrian-Ogbonna Evelyn A., and Chidi-Onuorah Lilian C.

ABSTRACT

Tinea capitis is a dermatophytic infection of the scalp and scalp hair. It is a public health problem among prepubetal or primary school children. This study was thus, carried out to determine the prevalence of tinea capitis among primary school pupils in Ovom-Ama-Asaa, Abia State, Nigeria. Hair scrapings of 108 primary school children aged between 2-13years with clinical manifestations of tinea capitis were collected from three different primary schools at Ovom-Ama-Asaa. Direct microscopy of the scrapings was carried out in a drop of 10% KOH on a glass slide. Also, scrapings were cultured for 14 days at 25OC on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) supplemented with 0.4mg/ml and 0.05mg/ml of cycloheximide and chloramphenicol respectively. Isolates were identified based on microscopic and macroscopic characteristics. Out of the 108 specimens collected, 106 produced positive culture results giving a mycological prevalence of 98.1%. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton simii were isolated with prevalence rates of 60%, 35.5% and 4.5% respectively. The highest prevalence of isolates (52.83%) was observed in the age group 8 - 10 years followed by those aged 11 – 13 years (21.70%). Based on mycological examination of the pupils, the males had a slightly higher prevalence (100%) than the females (96.3%) but the difference was statistically not significant (p = 0.153). This study shows that the mycological prevalence of tinea capitis in the study area is very high. This calls for urgent health measures including health education to both the pupils, teachers and parents as a means of controlling the disease.

Keywords: Tinea capitis, Prevalence, Pupils, Abia State.