EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF SCABIES IN MAIL, MALAWI, AND CAMBODIA

Background The prevalence rates of scabies are compared in Bamako, Mal l, Karonga District, Malawi, and Battambang Province, Cambodia. Method s In Mail, children attending three different urban schools catering f or different socio-economic levels were examined specifically for scab ies. In Malawi, data were collected during a total population survey f or leprosy. In Cambodia, a sample survey was carried out in a rural ar ea to determine the prevalence of leprosy and other skin diseases. Res ults In Mall, the prevalence rate of scabies among all the children ex amined was 4% (44/1103), but only 1.8% (7/388) in the higher socio-eco nomic group. In Malawi, the overall prevalence rate of scabies was 0.7 % (408/61,735), The highest rate (1.1%) was found among children 0-9 y ears of age. In Cambodia, the overall prevalence in the 13 villages sc reened was 4.3% (645/14,843). The highest rate (6.5%) was found among children 0-9 years of age. Conclusions Scabies was most prevalent amon g children in Cambodia and Malawi, but there were considerable differe nces in the overall rates between the two areas studied. The data from all three countries indicate that poor socio-economic conditions, in particular crowding and public water supplies, are risk factors for sc abies.