Prevalence of Tinea Capitis among Children in Osogbo, Nigeria, and the Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Tinea capitis is a fungi infection of the scalp that disproportionately affects children in rural and underserved communities in Nigeria. A case-control study was conducted to identify the causative agents and factors that predispose school pupils to tinea capitis in two selected government-owned public primary schools in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria. A total of 230 participants were included in the study: 115 cases and 115 controls. Head scrapings were collected from pupils with suspected T. capitis lesions, viewed under Potassium Hydroxide smear microscopy and cultured in Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) for characteristic fungal elements. A total of 105 (91%) samples were successfully cultured, of which 56% (59/105) were from male pupils. Tricophyton rubrum (34%), Tricophyton mentagrophyte (31%) and Microsporum canis (18%) were the most prevalent organisms. Other dermatophytes obtained include Microsporum nanuum (3%), Epidermophyton floccusum (6%), Tricophyton verucosum (1%), and Microsporum gypseum (8%). Pupils between the ages of 4 and 7 years had the highest distribution (67%) followed by those between the ages of 8 and 11 years (39%). Playing with animals, the sharing of combs and not bathing with soap were significantly associated with tinea capitis infection (P < 0.05) in each case. This study showed a high prevalence of tinea capitis caused by the identified dermatophytes in the area.

A systematic review of worldwide data on tinea capitis: analysis of the last 20 years

“…TC studies were found from the Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana, with the latter having the most studies. Nigeria reported the highest frequency of TC (34.6–40.0%) 34,35 . In this region, male patients predominated, with higher numbers of cases occurring between ages 4 and 15 years.…”

The Burden of Fungal Infections in Ethiopia

“…Tinea capitis accounted for the highest prevalence of FIs in the country. This could be due to poor individual and environmental sanitation, limited health facilities, the shortage of water supply at school or home for children, poor handwashing behaviour, strong and close contact with animals, highly populated one-room schools and the tropical region with high humidity [76][77][78].…”

Trichoscopy of Tinea Capitis: A Systematic Review

“…During the last few decades, an increased prevalence of the disease with a remarkable change in the pattern of the causative dermatophytes among different countries has been observed, probably due to immigration, emigration, traveling and changes in the level of surveillance [2]. Nevertheless, tinea capitis is mainly caused by Microsporum and Trichophyton species [3], its etiological agents differ according to the geographical distribution [2,4]. The disease is most commonly observed in children between 3 and 7 years of age [5].…”

“…The disease is most commonly observed in children between 3 and 7 years of age [5]. Adults (especially elderly individuals) may be occasionally affected [4]. Clinically, tinea capitis is characterized by the presence of hair loss areas with coexistent scaling, inflammation or pustules [4].…”

“…Adults (especially elderly individuals) may be occasionally affected [4]. Clinically, tinea capitis is characterized by the presence of hair loss areas with coexistent scaling, inflammation or pustules [4]. Mycological examination is considered to be the gold standard diagnostic method in tinea capitis [6].…”