Control of scabies in a tribal community using mass screening and treatment with oral ivermectin -A cluster randomized controlled trial in Gadchiroli, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Scabies is often endemic in tribal communities and difficult to control. We assessed the efficacy of a community-based intervention using mass screening and treatment with oral ivermectin in controlling scabies.

Methods/ findings

In this cluster randomised controlled trial, 12 villages were randomly selected from a cluster of 42 tribal villages in Gadchiroli district. In these villages, trained community health workers (CHWs) conducted mass screening for scabies. The diagnosis was confirmed by a physician. Six villages each were randomly allocated to the intervention and usual care arm (control arm). In the intervention arm (population 1184) CHWs provided directly observed oral ivermectin to scabies cases and their household contacts. In the usual care arm (popula

SUBMITTER: Behera P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8081337 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature