The investigation of risk factors determining scabies risk among healthcare workers

Objective: There are numerous studies on scabies risk factors; however, there is no study specifically conducted to determine the risk of scabies among healthcare workers. This study aims to contribute to the literature and determine the frequency of scabies among healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: The study included 178 healthcare workers employed at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital. Participants were asked questions related to demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and marital status using a questionnaire created by us. Questions were also directed towards determining the participants' immunity status, including the presence of atopy, systemic or dermatological diseases, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs in the last 6 months. Additionally, questions were asked about work conditions and intensity, including the department they worked in, their duty schedules, and patient interactions. Questions were also aimed at exploring their history of scabies, as well as their knowledge about the transmission routes of scabies. Scabies risk factors were investigated based on the data obtained from the questionnaire. Results: Of the participants included in the study, 92 (51.7%) were female, and 86 (48.3%) were male. Out of the total 178 participants, 31 (17.4%) had experienced scabies at least once before. The frequency of patient contact was not a risk factor for scabies transmission. There was no statistically significant relationship between the participants' professions and the risk of contracting scabies. However, factors such as hiring domestic help for tasks like babysitting and house cleaning significantly increased the risk of scabies transmission in the lived physical environment. Conclusion: Scabies is not exclusively a hospital-acquired infection. Considering that the presence of domestic helpers increases the risk of scabies transmission, we recommend that the scabies treatment protocol should routinely cover not only the residents of the house but also individuals who regularly come to the household. Keywords: Risk factors, healthcare workers, scabies