Epidemiology of Scabies: Hospital Study in Brazzaville (Congo)

Abstract

Introduction: Scabies is a contagious parasitic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei variant hominis. Few white epidemiological data concerning scabies in Congo is available. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological aspects of scabies in Brazzaville (Congo). Patients and methods: It was a retrospective study conducted from January 2016 to December 2018 in Talangai Reference Hospital in Brazzaville, Congo. Patients of any age received in outpatient dermatology for the diagnosis of scabies were included. The data was collected were age, sex, area of residence, season. Results: Of 57 patients included, 29 were male and 28 females. Adults were 47.37% of cases (n=27) and children 52.03% of cases (n=30). The scabies frequency was 2.3% of consultations cases. In adults and in children scabies accounted for 1.53% and 6.09% of reasons for consultation respectively. The mean age was 2.8 years (SD 2.6) in children and 34 years (SD 13.6) in adults. The age group between 0 and 5 years accounted for 42.1% of cases (n=24). Rainy season was the consultation period in 75.44% of cases (n=43). Conclusion: Scabies is common among pediatric dermatoses. Its evaluation in the general population is necessary for a better representation of the extent of the disease.