Prevalence of tinea capitis and the causative agent among school children in Gondar, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Tinea capitis is a worldwide public health problem that poses specific therapeutic challenge. This dermatophytosis of the scalp is characteristically a fungal infection affecting children between 5 and 15 years of age. A decision on treatment of tinea capitis requires identification of the specific causative fungal agent or at least establishment of the prevalence of a given dermatophyte in a given community.

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of tinea capitis, assess predisposing risk factors and identify the causative fungal agent in school children in north Gonder zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in two elementary schools in Gondar town. Clinico-dermatological data and questionnaire on socio-demographic information, living and hygienic conditions were collected. Mycological investigation was done by microscopic examination culture.

Results: A total of 372 students were screened for Tinea capitis infection, 262 from Meseret elementary school and 110 from Chechela elementary school. Among these, 61% (n = 227) were female and 39% (n = 145) were male. The median age was 10 years old, 98% of the study subjects were within the age range of 5 to 15. From the screened 372 children 47.5% (n = 177) were clinically suspected for Tinea capitis and 174 scalp samples were collected Microscopic examination in KOH (10%)-wet-mount preparation revealed 65.5% (n = 14) had fungal elements (hyphae and/or arthroconidia) in their clinical samples. Out of 174 specimen 50.0% (87) were culture positive. 33.9% (59) were contaminated and in 16.0% (28) were culture negative. From the positive samples 86.2% (75) were identified as Trichophyton violaceum. The rest 13.8% (12) were further sub-cultured at 37 degrees C and studied morphologically, and identified as Trichophyton verrucosum.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of Tinea capitis caused by T. violaceum was found in school children in Gondar. Ethiopia. Provisions for prevention and control should be set in the schools focused on hygiene control and health education.