H M Afnan

Sher E Bangla Medical College, Bangladesh

Abstract Title:

Burden and predictors of secondary bacterial infection among pediatric scabies patients: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh

Research Interests:

Background & Objective: Scabies is a neglected tropical disease that causes significant health issues among children in areas with limited resources. Factors that can be changed to reduce the risk of these infections are not well understood in Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the extent of secondary bacterial infections and identify independent risk factors among children with scabies who visited a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.

Methods: This study was carried out at the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) of a tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh from December 2025 to July 2026. A total of 162 children with confirmed scabies, aged between 0 and 15 years, were included in the study through a consecutive sampling method. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Results: Secondary bacterial infection was found in 86 out of the 162 patients (53.1%). The age distribution of the participants was as follows: 0–5 years (69 patients), 6–10 years (47 patients), and 11–15 years (46 patients). Key risk factors identified included infrequent bathing (OR 10.51, p<0.001), having a family member with scabies (OR 7.11,p=0.005), keeping pets at home (OR 4.36, p<0.001), using pond or river water (OR 3.58, p<0.001), and inconsistent use of soap (OR 3.44,p=0.001).On the other hand, protective factors included regular intake of vitamin C (OR 0.31, p<0.001), daily exposure to sunlight (OR 0.42, p=0.006), and living in an urban area (OR 0.43, p=0.010).

Conclusion: Poor hygiene practices in the household and household transmission were the strongest risk factors. Regular vitamin C consumption and regular sunlight exposure showed strong protective effects, indicating a possible role in boosting immunity that needs further research. It is essential to integrate hygiene education, household treatment strategies, and nutritional support into the national approach for managing secondary bacterial infection in scabies.