Prevalence and associated factors of scabies among school going children in Khulna division: a comparative cross-sectional study between schools and madrasahs (Islamic religious schools)

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease mostly affecting children in low-resource environments causing bodily and mental suffering, social stigma and school absenteeism. 394 randomly chosen school and madrasa-going children in Bangladesh’s Kushtia District, ages 5–17, participated in this cross-sectional study. The International Alliance for the Control of Scabies criteria were used to diagnose scabies. Overall, the prevalence was (40.35%; 159/394). Madrasa students had higher prevalence (51.3%; 90/176) than school students (31.65%; 69/218). Poverty, overcrowding, poor housing, irregular bathing, sharing personal items and close contact with affected individuals were key associated factors. Targeted context-specific interventions are urgently needed.