Perceptions, attitudes and practices towards scabies in communities on the Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau

Lopes, Maria João Paiva; Silva, Eunice Teixeira da; Ca, Janete; Gonçalves, Adriana; Rodrigues, Amabélia; Mandjuba, Cristóvão; Nakutum, Jose; D’Alessandro, Umberto; Achan, Jane; Logan, James G.; Bailey, Robin L.; Walker, Steve; Marks, Michael

doi:10.1101/574327

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The effects of experiencing scabies and impetigo were noted on daily routine and quality of life among iTaukei participants. Discussions centred on the negative impacts of scabies and impetigo for children, including school absenteeism and sleep disturbance due to intense itching at night [ 5 , 6 , 16 ]. Children’s experiences of embarrassment and stigma related to scabies and impetigo at school were highlighted by a few iTaukei participants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children’s experiences of embarrassment and stigma related to scabies and impetigo at school were highlighted by a few iTaukei participants. Previous research in Guinea-Bissau [ 16 ] and Brazil [ 29 ] has also highlighted the impact of scabies on children’s experiences of shame, stigma and societal isolation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, our findings indicate the need to increase community knowledge about MDA and associated benefits for control of scabies and impetigo, including the need for high levels of community adherence. Given the importance of community support to the success of elimination programmes [16][17][18], ensuring pre-MDA campaign community education and engagement efforts in Fiji has a wide reach is essential.…”

Section: Policy and Program Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mass drug administration (MDA) with topical permethrin or oral ivermectin treatments delivered to whole communities has been shown to be a safe and effective control strategy for scabies [3,[12][13][14][15]. Extensive experience with the MDA strategy for the control of other neglected tropical diseases has demonstrated the importance of community support to ensure that high levels of treatment adherence are achieved [16][17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore a crucial underpinning to the development of control and health promotion programs. However there has so far been little qualitative research of this kind related to scabies and impetigo [ 16 ], and none in Fiji or other endemic countries in the Asia Pacific Region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study

et al. 2020

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Scabies is endemic in Fiji and is a significant cause of morbidity. Little is known about the sociocultural beliefs and practices that affect the occurrence of scabies and impetigo, or community attitudes towards the strategy of mass drug administration that is emerging as a public health option for scabies and impetigo control in Fiji and other countries. Data were collected during semi-structured interviews with 33 community members in four locations in Fiji’s Northern Division. Thematic analysis examined participants’ lived experiences of scabies and impetigo; community knowledge and perceptions about scabies and impetigo aetiology and transmission; community-based treatment and prevention measures; and attitudes towards mass drug administration. Many indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) participants noted extensive and ongoing experience of scabies and impetigo among children in their families and communities, but only one participant of Indian descent (Indo-Fijian) identified personal childhood experience of scabies. Scabies and impetigo were perceived as diseases affecting children, impacting on school attendance and families’ quality of sleep. Awareness of scabies and impetigo was considerable, but there were major misconceptions around disease causation and transmission. Traditional remedies were preferred for scabies treatment, followed by biomedicines provided by local health centres and hospitals. Treatment of close household contacts was not prioritised. Attitudes towards mass drug administration to control scabies were mostly positive, although some concerns were noted about adverse effects and hesitation to participate in the planned scabies elimination programme. Findings from this first study to document perspectives and experiences related to scabies and impetigo and their management in the Asia Pacific region illustrate that a community-centred approach to scabies and impetigo is needed for the success of control efforts in Fiji, and most likely in other affected countries. This includes community-based health promotion messaging on the social dynamics of scabies transmission, and a campaign of education and community engagement prior to mass drug administration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Policy and Program Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study

et al. 2020

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Risk factors for scabies in hospital: a systematic review

Kim,

Yun

et al. 2024

BMC Infect Dis

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Background Annually, 175.4 million people are infected with scabies worldwide. Although parasitic infections are important nosocomial infections, they are unrecognized compared to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. In particular, nonspecific cutaneous manifestations of scabies lead to delayed diagnosis and frequent nosocomial transmission. Hospital-based studies on the risk factors for scabies have yet to be systematically reviewed. Methods The study followed the PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023363278). Literature searches were conducted in three international (PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL) and four Korean (DBpia, KISS, RISS, and Science ON) databases. We included hospital-based studies with risk estimates calculated with 95% confidence intervals for risk factors for scabies infection. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Two authors independently performed the screening and assessed the quality of the studies. Results A total of 12 studies were included. Personal characteristics were categorized into demographic, economic, residential, and behavioral factors. The identified risk factors were low economic status and unhygienic behavioral practices. Being a patient in a long-term care facility or institution was an important factor. Frequent patient contact and lack of personal protective equipment were identified as risk factors. For clinical characteristics, factors were categorized as personal health and hospital environment. People who had contact with itchy others were at higher risk of developing scabies. Patients with higher severity and those with a large number of catheters are also at increased risk for scabies infection. Conclusions Factors contributing to scabies in hospitals range from personal to clinical. We emphasize the importance of performing a full skin examination when patients present with scabies symptoms and are transferred from settings such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, to reduce the transmission of scabies. In addition, patient education to prevent scabies and infection control systems for healthcare workers, such as wearing personal protective equipment, are needed.

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Cutaneous leishmaniasis control in Alta Verapaz (northern Guatemala): evaluating current efforts through stakeholders’ experiences

et al. 2021

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Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), endemic in Guatemala, mostly affects poor people living in the northern region. A national control program that includes surveillance, diagnose, and treatment offered free of cost by the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been in place since 2003. However, the incidence is increasing and treatment rates are not optimal, suggesting that current efforts are not being effective. This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators of CL control in Guatemala as experienced and perceived by key stakeholders in order to comprehend what works well and does not and suggest evidence-informed interventions. Methods The study was conducted in the Cobán municipality, the most endemic of Guatemala, situated in the Department of Alta Verapaz. Data were collected during May and June 2019 via focus groups and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including local and national health personnel and residents of four communities of the endemic region. Thematic and content analysis of the collected data was conducted using NVIVO. Results Three overarching issues hamper the effectiveness of current CL efforts: resource scarcity, treatment challenges, and knowledge-action gaps. Scarce economic resources from the MoH and community residents negatively impact incidence, detection of cases and treatment rates in that preventive action is insufficient and healthcare access is low. In addition, local health workers often lack specialized CL training and access to the national CL control guidelines. With regards to the population living in the study area, misunderstanding of disease causation, shame associated with CL lesions, treatment pain fear, and long (often uncertain) waiting times for diagnose and treatment negatively affect people’s willingness to seek help, treatment adherence, and their trust on the healthcare provided. Conclusions Culturally sensitive CL preventive action must be developed. Given the scarce economic resources available for CL control in the country, the involvement of trained community health workers and the inclusion of thermotherapy as a treatment option is also advised. Other cost-effective actions include: ensuring all health workers receive CL training and have access to national CL control guidelines, improving national procurement system to avoid treatment shortages, and provision of motorized vehicles to increase active surveillance and treatment rates. Graphical abstract

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Perceptions, attitudes and practices towards scabies in communities on the Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau

Cited by 5 publications

References 27 publications

Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study

Community perspectives on scabies, impetigo and mass drug administration in Fiji: A qualitative study

Risk factors for scabies in hospital: a systematic review

Cutaneous leishmaniasis control in Alta Verapaz (northern Guatemala): evaluating current efforts through stakeholders’ experiences

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