Knowledge of Scabies Among School Going Students at Ashulia in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic skin disease and remains a significant public health problem, particularly among school-aged children in developing countries. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge on scabies among school students in Ashulia, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 school students of Hazi Buddhu Dewan School (HBDS), Baipail, Ashulia, Dhaka. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics and 17 knowledge-related questions on scabies. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to summarize the findings. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 15.12 ± 0.79 years, with the majority (46.5%) being 15 years old. More than half (54.5%) were male, 86.1% were Muslim, and 52.5% studied in Class Ten. Most respondents' mothers (45.5%) and fathers (38.6%) had completed secondary education. More than half (55.4%) of the fathers were employed in service occupations, while 45.5% of the mothers were housewives. The mean monthly family income was BDT 25,792.08, and 82.2% of the respondents belonged to nuclear families. Regarding knowledge on scabies, 89.1% correctly identified scabies as a skin disease, while only 47.5% knew that it is caused by mites. Most respondents recognized direct skin contact (71.3%), sharing clothes (69.3%), and sharing beds (60.4%) as modes of transmission. The majority correctly identified severe itching (80.2%), skin rash (80.2%), and worsening of itching at night (70.3%) as symptoms. Most respondents also recognized preventive measures, including regular bathing (81.2%), washing clothes (84.2%), avoiding sharing personal items (74.3%), regular hand washing (72.3%), and early treatment (72.3%). The overall mean knowledge score was 12.41 ± 2.88. Equal proportions of respondents had low (36.6%) and moderate (36.6%) levels of knowledge, while only 26.7% demonstrated a high level of knowledge. Conclusion: The study revealed that school students had an overall moderate level of knowledge regarding scabies. Although awareness of symptoms and preventive measures was satisfactory, important knowledge gaps remained regarding the causative agent and transmission of the disease.