Scabies Outbreak Investigation and Its Risk Factors in Gumbichu District, East Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Introduction: Scabies is one of the common public health problems but neglected parasitic diseases caused by Sarcoptes scabies var hominies. Global scabies prevalence was about a 204million cases with 0.21% of total disability-adjusted life years lost. In Ethiopia, scabies is common, especially during natural or man-made disasters. This study was aimed to investigate scabies suspected outbreak and risk factors in Gumbichu District, Central Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study among 96 participants (32 cases and 64 controls) was conducted in the Gumbichu district from July 1-20/2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Line-listed data were entered into Microsoft Excel for descriptive analyses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was computed using SPSS version 25 to identify factors associated with scabies. The odds ratio of 95% CI and a p-value less than 0.05 were used to describe the strength of the association and statistical significance. Results: A total of 1231 scabies cases line listed with overall attack rate of 16/1,000 population. The mean age was 14 years, and most affected age group was 5–14 years. Frequency of shower per month [AOR (95% CI) = 6.51(1.26-33.54)], sleeping with scabies patient [AOR (95% CI) = 10.52(3.75-29.53)], contact history [AOR (95%) = 11.44(1.72-76.22)], family size ≥5 [AOR (95% CI) = 8.63(2.42-30.84)], and sharing clothes with scabies cases [AOR (95% CI) = 14.31(3.04-67.35)] were found to be determinant factors of scabies outbreak. Conclusion: Frequency of shower per month, contact history, sleeping with scabies case, family size ≥5, and sharing clothes with scabies case were associated with a high frequency of scabies. Therefore, it is recommended to raise awareness about the transmission, prevention, and control of scabies disease.