title: Burden of human scabies in sub-Saharan African prisons: Evidence from the west region of Cameroon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is little data on the profile and magnitude of scabies in sub-Saharan African prisons. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of scabies in prisons of the west region of Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study from March to August 2014, and consecutively recruited volunteer detainees of three randomly selected prisons in the West Region of Cameroon. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings after assessment by two experienced and well-trained dermatologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 755 prisoners, 17 (2%) of whom were women. Their mean age was 32 ± 12 years. There were 242 cases (32%) of scabies, with significantly more cases in the most crowded prison (P < 0.0001). Men were significantly more affected than women (P = 0.004) and the prevalence of scabies significantly decreased when the level of education increased (P < 0.0001). In addition to a low level of education (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.90; P < 0.0001), sharing clothes/bedding (aOR 2.72; P < 0.0001) and the number of detainees per cell > 10 (aOR 1.89; P = 0.002), but not age, duration of incarceration, number of baths/week and washing/week, were independent drivers of scabies occurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost one-third of prisoners suffered from scabies in our prisons. A low educational level, the sharing of clothes/bedding and number of detainees/cell > 10 were independent determinants of the disease. Urgent measures must be undertaken to reduce the burden of scabies in our prisons.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Internal Medicine Unit, Biyem-Assi District Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Emmanuel Armand
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kouotou
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jobert Richie N
authors.initials: JRN
authors.lastname: Nansseu
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Treichville University Teaching Hospital, Treichville, Ivory Coast.
authors.forename: Abdoulaye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sangare
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Mountains, Bangangté, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Léonnelle-Lynda
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Moguieu Bogne
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Isidore
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sieleunou
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, University Hospital National Centre of Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Adegbidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tameyi Tatsa
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moyou Somo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D003020:Clothing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003441:Crowding; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012532:Scabies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cameroon; human scabies; prevalence; risk factor; sub-Saharan Africa