Success of a scabies control program in an Australian aboriginal community.
OBJECTIVE
To adapt, implement and evaluate a model of scabies control in an Australian Aboriginal community.


METHODS
After initially examining the population, we offered all residents treatment with 5% permethrin cream. Visits were made during the ensuing 25 months to rescreen and to treat new-cases of scabies and contacts.


RESULTS
The prevalence of scabies was reduced from 28.8% before the program to < 10% during the entire period (from 32.3% to < 10% in children) (P < 0.01 for each visit). The initial prevalence of pyoderma in children was 69.4%, which was reduced and maintained at approximately one-half that rate during the last 16 months (P < 0.004 for the last 4 visits). Residual pyoderma in children was significantly less severe and no longer scabies-related.


CONCLUSIONS
This simplified model of scabies control had a substantial effect on scabies prevalence and on pyoderma prevalence and severity which was sustained for > 2 years. It could prove useful for other communities with high rates of scabies and pyoderma.
Carapetis
J R
JR
Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. jonc@menzies.su.edu.au
Connors
C
C
Yarmirr
D
D
Krause
V
V
Currie
B J
BJ
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D026023:Permethrin; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012532:Scabies / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology*; D017678:Sex Distribution
D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin