Prevalence of scabies among school children in a rural block of coastal Karnataka

A survey for scabies was conducted in 14 primary and 2 high schools of one rural block of Dakshina Kannada district on the west coast of Karnataka from November 1982 to March 1983. A total of 5,128 (84.9%) out of the 6,041 registered children were examined. Prevalence of scabies among children aged 6 to 15 years was 8.2%; prevalence was higher among boys than girls; higher among children of backward communities than those of other communities; and higher among Muslims than among Hindus. History of another case of scabies at home was found in 37.3% of the cases. Secondary pyoderma was observed in 16.5% of the cases. Distribution of lesions conformed to the pattern described in other studies. Results of follow-up after 3-5 weeks of treatment with 25% benzyl benzoate are also reported.