PREVALENCE OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTIONS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND ASSOCIATED HYGIENE PRACTICES

Background: Dermatophyte infections remain a prevalent public health concern among school-aged children, particularly in low-resource and tropical regions. These infections, though often superficial, can cause significant discomfort, stigma, and complications if untreated. Personal hygiene behaviors play a critical role in either predisposing children to or protecting them from these fungal infections. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dermatophyte infections and their association with personal hygiene practices among children aged 6–12 years in primary schools in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months in six randomly selected public and private schools. A total of 355 children were enrolled using multistage random sampling. Clinical examination and KOH microscopy confirmed dermatophyte infections. A structured questionnaire assessed hygiene behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to evaluate associations, considering p<0.05 statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of confirmed dermatophyte infections was 30.4%. Infected children showed significantly higher rates of irregular bathing (79.6%), barefoot walking at school (63.0%), and sharing of personal items (72.2%). Logistic regression revealed that irregular bathing (OR: 3.4), barefoot behavior (OR: 2.7), and sharing personal items (OR: 4.1) were strong independent predictors of infection (p<0.01). Conclusion: Dermatophyte infections are common among schoolchildren and are closely linked to modifiable hygiene behaviors. Targeted interventions focusing on hygiene education and school-based health initiatives are vital to reducing transmission and improving dermatologic health in this population.