Prevalence and determinants of scabies among schoolchildren in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Scabies is one of the major neglected tropical diseases among children in deprived communities. Studies conducted among schoolchildren in Africa are limited and inconsistent. Thus, the aim of this study is to estimate the pooled magnitude and predictors of scabies in African schoolchildren.Methods: The pooled prevalence estimate with 95% confidence intervals was performed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using the funnel plot, Begg's, and Egger's tests.Results: A total of 28,482 subjects from 19 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of scabies among African schoolchildren was 10.81% (2459/28482) with (95% CI: 7.10-14.51). Factors such as being male (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 0.72-3.01), children who have a history of sharing clothes with their family (aOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 0.62-2.91), having illiterate parents (aOR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.51-1.41), having history of contact with skin itching cases/scabies (aOR = 3.37; 95% CI: 1.70-5.03), infrequent cloth wash (aOR = 5.30; 95% CI: 1.26-9.34), sharing common sleeping beds/fomites (aOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 0.04-4.22), family member with itchy signs/scabies (aOR = 5.83; 95% CI: 1.45-10.21), and not taking a bath with water and soap (aOR = 8.51; 95% CI: -4.14 to 21.15) were factors associated significantly with scabies.PROSPERO registration: CRD42024542762.Conclusion: In the present scenario, scabies ranges from 2.0% to 17.80% and is higher in Cameroon. Therefore, policymakers and health planners should put a great deal of emphasis on the implementation of relevant prevention and control measures.