Journal article
Scabies community prevalence and mass drug administration in two Fijian villages
Karin Haar, Lucia Romani, Raikanikoda Filimone, Kamal Kishore, Meciusela Tuicakau, Josefa Koroivueta, John M Kaldor, Handan Wand, Andrew Steer, Margot Whitfeld
International Journal of Dermatology | WILEY | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12353
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Scabies has been estimated to affect approximately 300 million people worldwide each year. Scabies rates are high and pose a significant public health problem in Fiji. Community-based comparison treatment trials have not been undertaken. We estimated scabies prevalence and compared the efficacy and tolerability of mass drug administration (MDA) of benzyl benzoate lotion (BB) or oral ivermectin (IVM) in two villages in Fiji. METHODS: A prospective MDA trial was undertaken in two Fijian villages, comparing three daily applications of BB with single dose IVM or permethrin cream for those aged under two years. The therapies were offered to all community members regardless of the pres..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Scientific Research Fund of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, and the estate of Albert W. Johnston and Buster Grant for funding support, and the study participants, the turanga-ni-koros, village elders, community nurses, and volunteer village health workers for their cooperation. Also thanks to Dr. Timaima Tuiketei, Dr. Lepani Waqatakirewa, Dr. Ilisapeci Kubuabola-Samisoni, Jope Davetanivalu, Peter Zinck, Vasiti Nawadra, and the staff from the Tamavua Twomey Hospital. The authors would also like to thank A/Prof. Richard Hillman, Prof. Jonathan Carapetis, and Drs. Delwyn Dyall-Smith and Robert Ma for their preliminary guidance with the project and manuscript review.