Prevalence and risk factors of superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Superficial fungal infections are common in the tropics particularly in the rural areas where children are predisposed. The causative organisms include dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds. To determine the prevalence and risk factors of superficial fungal infections among primary school pupils aged 5- 16 years in Oke-Oyi, Kwara State. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from April through July 2017 among 602 pupils aged 5-16 years in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. Out of the 602 pupils screened during the study, 180 pupils were suspected clinically to have superficial fungal infection and a total of 180 skin specimens were collected from the pupils. The prevalence of clinically suspected fungal infection was 29.9% (180/602), dermatophytes accounted for 16.7% (30/180), while non-dermatophyte moulds accounted for about half of the isolates, 51.7% (93/180). Some of the factors that were significantly associated with the risk of acquisition of dermatophytic infections include age, past history of similar lesions, over-crowding, normal sweat pattern and unkempt socks worn by the pupils among others. This study has shown that superficial fungal infections are common among pupils in Oke-Oyi in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State and the risk factors include among others, young age, past history of skin infections, overcrowding and unkempt socks worn by pupils. Therefore sociodemographic and behavioural factors influence the occurrence of superficial fungal infections in the study area.

Dermatophytes and Dermatophytoses Acquisition Among School-Age Children in Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Mali and Nigeria: A Systematic Review

“…Medical treatments, immune-compromised conditions, malnutrition, surgeries and exposure to heavy metals (like mercury) have responsibility for the increase in fungal infections [4][5][6] . Other factors that can predispose one to fungal infections include personal hygiene, crowded living and poor sanitary condition, size of family, age, warm humid climate, socioeconomic status, and international travels [7][8][9] .…”

Antifungal Potential of silver nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica Pod against Dermatophytes

“…Dermatophyte infections can also be acquired directly through fomites such as upholstery, hairbrushes, and combs. Dermatophytes in pupils cause morbidity and lower their quality of life leading to poor school attendance and irritation in adults 2 . They are believed to affect 20% to 25% of the world's population 3 , and the incidence continues to increase 4 due to immunosuppression procedures and diseases.…”