Is Malnutrition a Determinant of Scabies among Preschool Children? Evidence from East Badiwacho District, Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/ajhsm.v04i02.02Keywords:
Malnutrition, Scabies, Pre-school children, Central EthiopiaAbstract
Background: Undernourished children living in crowded housing, particularly in tropical countries, are at a higher risk of suffering from scabies. Understanding the relationship between these serious conditions in preschool children can aid in developing effective and cost-efficient strategies to prevent malnutrition in regions where scabies is prevalent. This study aimed to determine the relationship between malnutrition and scabies among preschool children in the East Badawacho district of the Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: A health institution-based unmatched case-control study design was employed, involving 348 participants who were compared based on their scabies status. Preschool children with scabies were contrasted with those without in East Badawacho District, Central Ethiopia. The children's nutritional status was assessed anthropometrically and analyzed using the World Health Organization Anthro software. Data were entered into EPI-info version 11 and subsequently exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses identified determinants of scabies, with statistical significance set at a P-value of less than 0.05.
Results: Significant independent predictors associated with scabies infestation included severe wasting (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.32-5.47), usage of less than 20 liters of water daily by mothers of preschool children (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.02-6.27), sharing clothes with someone infected with scabies (AOR = 6.7, 95% CI: 2.98-15.08), and washing with water only (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.37-6.77).
Conclusion: Preschool children who were severely wasted, utilized less than 20 liters of water for daily activities, shared clothing with scabies-infected peers, and washed only with water were significantly associated with scabies transmission. Therefore, scabies control programs should integrate nutritional interventions to effectively address this issue.
