A review on effect of planned teaching programme on knowledge and practices in relation to prevention and management of scabies among mothers of under five children in a selected hospital

Abstract

Scabies is a common contagious parasitic dermatosis. Transmission of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis generally occurs by skin-to-skin contact, but with crusted scabies it may also occur through fomites, such as infected clothing or bedding. Scabies remains a public health problem, especially in developing countries, with a worldwide incidence of approximately 300 million cases each year. Prolonged skin-to-skin contact is necessary to allow the transmission of the causative mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Diagnosis is usually clinical. A 2010 updated Cochrane review concluded that management of scabies is based on topical scabicides, mainly 5% permethrin. However, oral ivermectin, although not licensed in many countries, may be useful, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate or comply with topical therapy and in institutional scabies epidemics. Classic scabies presents with burrows, erythematous papules, and generalized pruritus. Clinical variants include nodular scabies and crusted scabies, also called Norwegian scabies. The diagnosis is based mainly on history and physical examination, but definitive diagnosis depends on direct visualization of the mites under microscopy. Alternative diagnostic methods include the burrow ink test, video-dermatoscopy, newly serologic tests like PCR/ELISA, and specific IGE directed toward major mite components. Treatment of scabies consists of either topical permethrin or oral ivermectin, although the optimal regimen is still unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the study is to prevention and management of scabies among mothers of under five children before and after planned teaching programme.