Prevalence and associated factors of scabies in Ethiopia: systematic review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Scabies is an infectious disease that affects the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and it transmitted through close personal contact. Even though it is easily treatable disease, its prevalence is high and continuous as neglected tropical disease of resource-poor settings, and particularly affects young age groups. Despite of these facts, studies conducted in Ethiopia regarding to the prevalence and associated factors for scabies infestation have been highly variable and didn't well compiled. Due to that, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimates the overall prevalence of scabies and associated factors in all age groups in Ethiopia.

Methods: International databases (PubMed/PMC/Midline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Google and Science Direct) were systematically searched from December 1, 2019, to January 18, 2020. All observational studies noted the prevalence of human scabies and associated factors in Ethiopia were included. Two authors (AG and G.T) independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format. The data which is extracted each study were analyzed using STATA Version 14.1. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed through the Cochrane Q test statistics and I² test. Lastly, a random effects meta-analysis model was computed to fix overall prevalence and associated factors of scabies.

Results: Twelve studies were included in this meta-analysis after 410 articles retrieved. Of these, eight studies were analyzed for prevalence estimation. The overall prevalence of scabies infestation was 14.5% (95%CI: 1.5, 27.6%) in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed the highest prevalence was 19.6% in Amhara region. A person from a large family size (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.76, 5.67), and sharing a bed (OR: 3.59, 95%CI: 2.88, 4.47) were significantly associated with scabies.

Conclusion: This study revealed the prevalence of scabies infestation was 14.5% in Ethiopia which was high. Persons from high family size and any contact with scabies case were factors associated with scabies.

Keywords: Associated factors; Ethiopia; Meta-analysis; Prevalence; Scabies; Systematic review.

Fig. 1

Follow diagram of study selection for systematic and Meta-analysis of scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 2

Forest plot for the prevalence of scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 3

Forest plot for odds ratio of the association of family size with scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 4

Funnel plot logOR with standard error of logOR of family size with scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 5

Forest plot for odds ratio of frequency of bath per week with scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 6

Forest plot for odds ratio of sharing cloth or bed with scabies person and scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 7

Funnel plot of sharing/sleeping with scabies and scabies in Ethiopia

Fig. 8

Forest plot the association between hand washing without soap and scabies in Ethiopia