Abstract:
Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation endemic to both high-income and low-income settings but with a varying epidemiologic presentation. Despite its high burden and global distribution, it had been neglected as a public health problem and there is limited data about the nature of the disease in global health settings. In Ethiopia, a large-scale scabies outbreak was reported in 2015 mainly involving the northern part of the country. However, lack of data on the disease epidemiology and the effectiveness of a variety of control strategies was a barrier to the required swift response. This study aimed to determine scabies epidemiology and measure the secondary impact of ivermectin onchocerciasis Mass Drug Administration (MDA) on the prevalence of scabies in outbreak affected Ayu Guagusa district, Amhara regional state, northern Ethiopia. The study also aimed to synthesize the published knowledge of scabies in Ethiopia and measure the effect of the infestation on life quality of patients.