Scabies in urban Bangladesh: burden, behavior, and control a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Scabies remains common in crowded urban settings in Bangladesh. We conducted a country wide online cross-sectional survey with additional circulation in Dhaka hostels/homes. 103 respondents reported they had been diagnosed with scabies during their lifetime. Within this group, 26.2% participants (27/103 participants) reported that they are currently infected with scabies. Recurrence was frequent (~53.4% participants had more than 2 episodes); the infection lasted over one month in 31.1% participants. 37.9% participants reported scabies disturbed their sleep/daily-activity. Household transmission signals were consistent (33% said a family member had scabies, 40.8% said no, 26.2% were not sure). 30.1% of participants reported that scabies spreads through close contact, 35% of participants were not sure, and 35% of participants said it did not spread through close contact. Only 31.1% participants took medicines as prescribed, 34% participants reported same-day contact treatment, 42.7% participants shared personal items, and only 25.2% participants cleaned their surfaces every day. The dataset indicates ongoing household transmission due to gaps in adherence, synchronised contact treatment, and hygiene management. Immediate program priorities are same-night household treatment, clear dosing with a repeat at days 7–14 if needed, and providing laundry guidance. IACS-based clinical mapping is needed to obtain examination-derived prevalence.