Epidemiology of scabies in relation to socio-economic and selected climatic factors in north-east Poland

Abstract

Introduction. Scabies is a contagious parasitic disease, a skin infestation caused by Scaroptes scabieri, tiny mites that burrow under the skin. Outbreaks of scabies can be difficult to control and require the implementation of appropriate control programme. Objective. The purpose of the study was to analyze the epidemiology of scabies in northeast Poland, considering socioeconomic and selected climatic factors. Materials and method. The analysis was based on data reports (n=26,362) obtained from the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ) for the period 2007-2014. Monthly climate data were collected from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management/National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) in Warsaw, including data on temperature and relative humidity. Additionally, the influence of socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of scabies was analyzed. Data on population size, medical staff, and unemployment rate were obtained from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) in Warsaw, and analyzed using SPSS Statistics 24.0 programme. Results. The age group of 10-19 years showed the highest infestation rates. Seasonality of scabies was demonstrated. The highest numbers of cases were reported during the autumn and winter months. There was a significant negative correlation (rho =-0.499; p<0.001) between air temperature and the incidence of scabies, and a positive correlation (r = 0.532; p<0.001) between relative humidity and the number of cases reported. A rise in the unemployment rate also caused an increase in the scabies incidence rate (r = 0.294; p<0.001). Conclusions. The results suggest that an improvement of socioeconomic conditions may contribute to a reduction in the number of scabies infections. The possibility should be considered of monitoring the parameters, such as air temperature and humidity, particularly when scabies outbreaks occur.

The Incidence of Scabies and Head Lice and Their Associated Risk Factors among Displaced People in Cham Mishko Camp, Zakho City, Duhok Province, Iraq

“…This study showed that the incidence of scabies was higher among children and males, as shown in Table I, due to the closer physical contact among children, particularly within large family units, which facilitates the transmission and explains different rates relative to age and sex indirectly for the spread of scabies. Besides spreading scabies through close direct skin-to-skin contact, infested persons can transmit scabies indirectly by sharing contaminated items with mites such as clothing, bedding, bed linens, furniture, shared hats, and head coverings (Liu et al 2016;Korycińska et al 2020). High rate of scabies recorded in males may be due to their intensive social lifestyle in the community as they work outside their households for long period which increased the chance for exposure to potential mite sources (Otero et al 2004;Hengge et al 2006;Ursani and Baloch 2009).…”

“…The essential element in transmitting scabies is the mite's ability to survive and keep infectivity in the external environment. Therefore, a high humidity ratio associated with low-temperature results in a longer survival time of scabies outside the host body (Liu et al 2016;Korycińska et al 2020) Regarding the effect of seasonal variation of weather temperature on head lice, although lice infestation exists throughout all months of the year at different rates, it increases in hot months. There is a significant association between seasonal variation and head lice infestation among IDPs.…”

“…Children tend to play together more in the warm weather, creating a greater chance for the transmission of head lice from head-to-head. Lice can lay more eggs and reproduce more rapidly in warm weather, too, so head lice cases are more common at this time of the year compared to the winter months (Liu et al 2016;Korycińska et al 2020). During the summer months, especially in the summer holidays (June, July, and August), children have more frequent head-to-head contact than at other periods of the year.…”

Scabies and Pediculosis in Penitentiary Institutions in Poland—A Study of Ectoparasitoses in Confinement Conditions

“…The conditions in cells that do not have adequate ventilation promote the out-of-host survival of scabies and louse [ 7 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Korycińska et al described a positive correlation between air humidity and scabies incidence [ 25 ]. It should be mentioned that, in addition to the procedure of preliminary medical examinations followed by periodic and control check-ups, Polish prisoners have the right to make appointments mainly with the general practitioner [ 20 ].…”

Upsurge in the incidence of scabies (a neglected tropical disease) in some rural communities of Southeast Nigeria: any nexus with climate change?

“…Some past studies had also reported higher prevalence of scabies in children less than 18 years, although with various prevalence figures. 18,19,[23][24][25][26] Higher prevalence of scabies in children is believed to be due to increased exposure to the parasite and lack of immunity of the host. 20 This finding could also be attributed to poorer hygiene practice among children, given the fact that poor personal hygiene is a risk factor for the scabies infestation.…”