title: Prevalence of Tinea Capitis among School Children in Nok Community of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
abstract: In recent years, the prevalence of tinea capitis, an infection of the scalp by dermatophytes, has increased in children worldwide. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factor of tinea capitis among school children in Nok community of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 100 children were screened and 45% were diagnosed to have tinea capitis after fungal culture and microscopy. The prevalence of tinea capitis among girls was higher (51.4%) than that among boys (41.5%) but not significantly different (p = 0.402). The prevalence with respect to age was lower for the age group 5-10 years (42.6%) than that of 11-15 years (50%) but was not significantly different (p = 0.524). Trichophyton rubrum (28.8%) and Microsporum canis (22.7%) were the most prevalent dermatophytes isolated and the least were Trichophyton verrucosum (4.5%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (4.5%). There were 73.3% single infection while 26.7% had 2-4 dermatophytes of the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. The predisposing factors with statistically significant association with tinea capitis were number of children in the family (p = 0.02) and sharing of the same bed (p = 0.002). This indicates the high tendencies of spread of tinea capitis through human-to-human mode of transmission and possible animal contact. Community health education on the cause, mode of transmission, prevention, and prompt treatment of tinea capitis is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dogo
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Seniyat Larai
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4223-7554
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Afegbua
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatophilosis, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Edward Christopher
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Dung