Healthcare users' knowledge and experiences regarding the management of scabies in the Deder district, Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Background: Scabies is an ectoparasitic, highly contagious skin disease caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, and the major cause of morbidity and disease burden in developing countries.
 Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the current knowledge and experiences of healthcare users on the management of scabies provided at primary healthcare facilities.
 Methods: A qualitative research design was used to address the research objectives. Data were collected using focus group interviews with 54 health care users. Thematic analysis was performed on the verbatim transcriptions using Tesch’s approach. Five themes emerged after data analysis. These were Knowledge regarding scabies; Knowledge regarding the management of scabies; Knowledge regarding the prevention of scabies; Perceptions regarding receiving treatment of scabies; and Recommendations regarding the availability of materials and medication.
 Results: The findings showed that the knowledge of healthcare users that participated in the study on scabies, its management, prevention, and control was limited. Health care users experience different challenges regarding scabies and the management thereof.
 Conclusions: Healthcare users’ in the area was limited knowledge and experience different challenges regarding scabies and the management thereof. These challenges contribute to low quality of health service with undesirable health outcomes. To narrow this gap, consistent and programmed health education was provided to the community through different modalities by using the existing health system to increase awareness regarding scabies. Once community awareness was enacted, each community member was positioned to prevent and control scabies.