Tinea capitis among schoolchildren in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta analysis

Abstract

Background Tinea capitis accounts for25 to 30% of all fungal infections, but it is often ignored because it is not life threatening in nature. It is more common among schoolchildren particularly in developing countries. Due to the presence of significant variability among the previous studies, this study was conducted to provide a pooled prevalence and associated factors of tinea capitis in Ethiopian schoolchildren. Method We conducted a systematic search in five major databases for articles similar to our topic. This review included school-based cross-sectional studies that were reported in English and conducted from 2006 through 2022. The data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and further analysis was done using StataTM Version 17.0 statistical software. Forest plots were used to assess the presence of heterogeneity with 95% confidence intervals. A random effects meta- analysis model was used to pool primary estimates. To declare the presence or absence of association, 95% confidence interval with odds ratio was used. Results Fourteen studies with a total of 9465 schoolchildren were included. The pooled prevalence was 29.03% (95%CI: 15.37–42.71). There was observed heterogeneity, which could be explained by publication bias (P = 0.04). Family history of tinea capitis (OR: 9.18, 95%CI: 3.5–24.02), under the age of 10 years (OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.17–2.33) were factors increasing the development of tinea capitis among schoolchildren and schoolchildren who had hair wash at least once a week (OR: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.24–0.42) was significantly associated with reduced risk for tinea capitis. Conclusion One of the most prevalent childhood health condition in Ethiopia is tinea capitis, which affects over one in every four schoolchildren. Schoolchildren who had family history of tinea capitis and under the age of 10 years were the identified risk factors but they had hair wash at least once a week was the protective factor of tinea capitis among schoolchildren. Clinical and public engagement activities are needed to overcome the burden of the disease.

Tinea Capitis at Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat, Morocco: Epidemiological and Etiological Study Over 25 Years (From 1997 to 2021)

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TC ranks as the second most common childhood dermatological disease in developing countries [ 2 ]. It is primarily observed in individuals post-puberty, with an occurrence rate ranging from 3% to 5% [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Only the first two genera have species capable of invading terminal hair and, therefore, causing scalp ringworm [ 1 ]. Tinea capitis accounts for 25-30% of all fungal infections [ 2 ]. The geographic origin and lifestyle factors, particularly the rise in pet adoptions, migratory flows, and personal hygiene, contribute to the constantly changing epidemiology of this pathology.…”

Analysis of optimal control strategies on the fungal Tinea capitis infection fractional order model with cost-effective analysis

“…It is often ignored but it accounts for 25–30% of all fungal infections and is common in developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa countries 13 , 14 . The Tinea capitis is a common children hair or scalp infection problem, and has been a worldwide public health concern and since it is a highly contagious infection and it has adverse events such as high economic burden, blood test follow-up, and significant cost of systemic treatments 1 , 15 .…”