Tinea capitis in Awka local government area of Anambra State

Between January and August 1984, a total of 1,555 Primary school children aged 4-18 years were surveyed for tinea capitis in Awka local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Specimens for mycological investigations were aseptically collected from 300 children showing evidence of tinea capitis and processed by standard method. A total of 158 (10.2%) mycologically proven cases of tinea capitis were detected. Prevalence of tinea capitis was higher in younger children (12.0%) aged 4-10 years than in older children (5.3%). Prevalence of 3.8% recorded for children over fifteen years of age. The species of dermatophytes Isolated were Microsporum audouini 38.0%, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (24%), Trichophyton soudanense (15%), Trichophyton tonsurans, (9%), Trichophyton Schoenlenii (9%) and Microsporum gypseum (5%). Overcrowding and poor sanitary living conditions were found to be factors favouring occurrance of tinea capitis in Awka local government area of Anambra State.