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 Karnatak 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 37.37o of the cases.Secondary pyoderma was observed in 16.59'o 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.