Agents of Dermatophytosis and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Children in Malete Kwara State

Abstract

Dermatophytoses are fungi infections of the skin, hair, and nails commonly known as ringworm or tinea. They have been found to impact negatively on health and well-being of children. This study determined the prevalence, clinical types as well as the etiologic organisms of dermatophyte infection among primary school children aged 4-12 years in Malete community, Kwara State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 210 children aged 4-12 years in Malete community in Kwara State. Seventy-three samples were collected from Children with clinically suspected lesions. Aportion of each sample examined microscopically for fungal elements using Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and the remaining portion was cultured in tubes of Dermatophyte Test Medium containing chloramphenicol, cycloheximide and gentamicin. Dermatophyte isolates were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies, and differentiation using urea agar base. The prevalence of clinically suspected dermatophytosis lesion was 34.8% (73/210), 26.2% (55/210) showed fungal elements in KOH while 8.6% (18/210) showed no fungal elements. Six species of dermatophytes belonging to only two of the three genera of dermatophytes were responsible for human infection in the area studied, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes (41.5%) and Trichophyton verrucosum (3.1%). The prevalence of dermatophytosis was higher among males 22.4% (47/210) ages 7-9 years. Tinea capitis was predominant accounted for 73.8% of the cases. This study showed that the prevalence of dermatophytosis in the school studied was significant. Therefore, intensive health promotion and education interventions to promote good hygiene practices among school children is recommended.