European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background and Objective: Tinea capitis is a prevalent infection, particularly in areas with few resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tinea capitis in school-aged children and the impact of personal hygiene on prevalence.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 422 school going children during month of July 2019 to December 2019. All the children belong to class first to class seven and the age group of 6 years to 14 years. A questionnaire was given out, and cultures of scalps, skin scraping/hair stub samples were taken in order to identify and confirm the etiological agents.
Results: Out of 422 children screened in the study, 42 were observed to have Tinea capitis by clinical examination, providing an overall prevalence rate of 10% among the school children. 252 males and 170 females aged between 6 and 14 years with mean age of 10.5 ± 2.16 years. Majority of children with Tinea capitis had black dot type of patches (57%) followed by those having grey patches (38.3%).  Majority of children had poor personal hygiene.
Conclusion: Tinea capitis is common among school-aged children in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and appropriate efforts must be made to reduce its prevalence.