Prevalence of Skin Infections and Hygiene Practices among Pupils in selected Public Primary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Skin diseases are among the common childhood problems of public health importance in Nigeria. Poor personal hygiene practices especially among children are believed to be contributory to its prevalence. This study assessed the prevalence of skin infections and practices in relation to hygiene among public primary school children in Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. A simple random sampling method was used in selecting five public primary schools from the seventy-six schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria. Physical examination of 1,109 pupils in primaries three to six by Physicians in five schools was used to assess the presence of skin infections. Microscopic examination of scalp scrapings from pupils diagnosed with skin infection was done so as to identify the causative organisms. Semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used in obtaining information on socio-demographic information, personal hygiene and treatment practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of the infected children was 11.0 (1.93) years. Clinically diagnosed cases of skin infections were found in 260 (23.4%) pupils, with more males (77.7%) infected than females (22.3%). Types of skin infections diagnosed were Tineacapitis (93.8%); Pityriasisversicolor (3.1%) and Skin furuncles (0.4%) while (2.7%) had multiple infections. The identified causative dermatophytes from the scalp scrapings were Trichophytonmentagrophytes (72.0%) and Trichophytontonsurans (28.0%). Proportion of infections among pupils were, primary three (33.5%); primary four (29.6%); primary five (19.2%) and (17.7%) for primary six. Pupils whose parents’ do not live together accounted for 65.0% of the infected pupils compared to 35.0% whose parents stay together. About 73.4% reported they had at least one person with skin infection in their homes. About 77.0% of the cases were found in children living in crowded conditions of more than three persons per standard room; sharing of items (comb, bed, towel) was reported in 93.1% of cases. Of the 120 positive cases, 54.2% reported they take bathing their bath once daily; the remaining 45.8% bathe twice daily. Practices in the treatment of infections like the use of herbal soap (31.5%), brake oil (4.2%), Baby oil (3.9%), chicken’s egg (2.7%) were reported by respondents. Poor personal hygiene and housing conditions are contributing factors to skin infections in the study area. Early introduction of health education in schools would encourage pupils to imbibe culture of personal cleanliness. Key words: Skin infections, school pupils, hygiene practice

Perceptions on the use of insecticide treated nets in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria: Implications for preventing malaria in pregnancy

This study aimed at assessing perceptions on use of ITNs in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria and its implications in preventing malaria in pregnancy. Data was collected using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and structured questionnaires. Results showed high awareness on the benefits of ITNs. Factors affecting use of ITNs included its high cost, perceptions of chemicals used to treat them as having dangerous effects on pregnancy, low utilization of antenatal care, husband’s lack of interest in malaria prevention and perceptions that adolescent girls are at low risk of getting malaria. The implications of these findings include demystifying the negative perceptions on the chemicals used for net treatment and subsidizing the cost of ITNs to increase access.These findings provide important lessons for malaria programmes that aim at increasing access to ITNs by pregnant women in developing countries(Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:117-128)

Perceptions sur l’emploi des moustiquaires imprégnés d’insecticide dans la région du bassin du fleuve Imo, Nigeria: Implications pour la prévention de la malaria pendant la grossesse

This study aimed at assessing perceptions on use of ITNs in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria and its implications in preventing malaria in pregnancy. Data was collected using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and structured questionnaires. Results showed high awareness on the benefits of ITNs. Factors affecting use of ITNs included its high cost, perceptions of chemicals used to treat them as having dangerous effects on pregnancy, low utilization of antenatal care, husband’s lack of interest in malaria prevention and perceptions that adolescent girls are at low risk of getting malaria. The implications of these findings include demystifying the negative perceptions on the chemicals used for net treatment and subsidizing the cost of ITNs to increase access. These findings provide important lessons for malaria programmes that aim at increasing access to ITNs by pregnant women in developing countries (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:117-128).Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer les perceptions sur l’emploi des MIIs dans des régions du bassin du fleuve Imo, Nigeria et ses implications dans la prévention de la malaria dans la grossesse. Les données ont été collectées à l’aide des discussions à groupe cible, des interviews auprès des informateurs et des questionnaires structurés. Les résultats ont montré une conscience élevée des avantages des MIIs. Parmi les facteurs qui affectent l’emploi des MIIs sont le coût élevé, la perception des produits chimiques utilisés pour les traiter comme ayant des effets dangereux sur la grossesse, la faible utilisation des soins prénatals, le manque d’intérêt chez le mari dans la prévention de la malaria et des perceptions selon lesquelles les filles adolescentes courent un faible risque d’attraper la malaria. Les implications des ces résultats comprennent la démystification des perceptions négatives sur les produits chimiques qu’on a utilisés pour le traitement du moustiquaire et la subvention du coût des MIIs pour augmenter l’accès. Ces résultats donnent des leçons importantes pour des programmes de la malaria qui visent l’augmentation d’accès aux MIIs par les femmes enceintes dans les pays en voie de développement (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:117-128)