Prevalence of Tinea capitis in school going children from Mathare, informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Moto, Jedidah Ndunge
Maingi, J.M.
Nyamache, A. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Tinea capitis is a common infection especially in poor resource settings. This study was aimed at determining
the prevalence Tinea capitis in children from selected schools from an urban slum in Nairobi city of Kenya.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 150 school going children during the period between May and
September 2013. A questionnaire was administered and cultures of scalps, skin scrapping/hair stubs samples were
performed and the etiological agents identified and confirmed.
Results: In a total of one hundred and fifty (150) children recruited 89 (59.3%) were males and 61 (40.7%) females
aged between 3 and 14 years. The overall prevalence rates in dermatophytes infection was 81.3% (122/150) with
etiological agents consisting Trichophyton spp. (61.3%), Microsporum spp. (13.3%) and Epidermophyton spp. (7.3%)
infections with infections occurring either singly (56%), duo (38%) or tipple co-infections (6%).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of Tinea infections with Trichophyton tonsurans as the predominant
etiological agent in school going children of the urban slums of Nairobi.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Tinea capitis, Prevalence, Children, Dermatophytes, Informal settlement
Citation
BMC Res Notes (2015) 8:274