Original scientific paper
THE PROFILE OF SCABIES PATIENTS IN ZAGREB
Mirjana Lana Kosanović Ličina
; Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
André Quiaios
; Environmental Health – IPC, EsTesC, Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
Vanja Tešić
; Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
José Domingues
; Environmental Health – IPC, EsTesC, Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
Nelson Sá
; Environmental Health – IPC, EsTesC, Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
Abstract
Background: Scabies is a mandatory notifiable disease according to Croatian law. Due to an increased reports of scabies within
a couple of years in Zagreb, we decided to present epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with scabies in Zagreb.
Subjects and methods: A retrospective survey was carried out in county Public Health Institute “Dr. Andrija Stampar” in
Zagreb and analysis was performed for the period of 2010-2013 upon individual notifications on scabies cases. The patients are
presented by sociodemographic data, diagnosis and treatment.
Results: In a 4 year period there were 246 scabies cases recorded in Zagreb. Cases have been registered in all quarters of the
City. The highest incidence (50/100 000) was recorded in every child age group following by incidence of over 30/100 000 in elderly
institutionalized in nursing homes. In almost two thirds of patients management of scabies has not been conducted in accordance to
current guidelines. 10% of scabies cases were found in medical health personnel predominantly in those working in nursing homes
and psychiatric wards. A small amount of cases 19 (8%) were infected outside Croatia; the majority of these cases 15 (78%) are
registered within last two years.
Conclusion: High percentage of scabies cases registered in nursing homes and psychiatric wards suggests that there is a need of
raising awareness on scabies epidemiology and management by public health officers. Due to a higher incidence of scabies in
children age, the obligation of medical practitioners is also to emphasize the importance of following treatment guidelines. In order
to control scabies cases as well to prevent outbreaks within hospital wards or nursing homes there is an obligation of
implementation of strict guidelines regarding treatment of scabies and a public health service referral
Keywords
scabies; epidemiology; Zagreb; nursing homes; psychiatric wards
Hrčak ID:
265290
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2014.
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