FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SCABIES AMONG STUDENTS OF AN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL IN THE TIRTAYASA PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER AREA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Scabies is an infectious dermatological condition resulting from infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The disease commonly occurs in settings characterized by dense living conditions and suboptimal hygiene behaviors. Indonesia remains among the countries with a high scabies burden worldwide. Previous investigations have reported a substantial prevalence of scabies in Islamic boarding schools, including a prevalence rate of 76.9% documented in Bogor. This study aimed to examine factors associated with scabies occurrence among students residing in Islamic boarding school within the service area of the Tirtayasa Public Health Center. An analytical observational study using a cross-sectional design was carried out involving 90 participants selected through total sampling. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square statistical test to determine associations between variables and scabies incidence. Scabies was diagnosed in half of the study population (50.0%). Male students constituted 52.2% of respondents. Adequate knowledge regarding scabies was observed in 36.7% of participants, while 66.7% demonstrated good personal hygiene practices. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between scabies incidence and gender (p = 0.02), level of knowledge (p = 0.002), and personal hygiene status (p < 0.001). Lower levels of knowledge were associated with a higher proportion of scabies cases, likely reflecting insufficient understanding of transmission mechanisms and preventive measures. Poor personal hygiene was also identified as a key factor facilitating mite infestation and increasing the risk of disease spread through direct or indirect contact. Scabies incidence among students in Islamic boarding school within the Tirtayasa Public Health Center area was significantly associated with gender, knowledge level, and personal hygiene practices.