Prevalence and determinants of scabies: a global systematic review and meta-analysis (Updated August 26, 2024).

A global systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of scabies, a neglected skin disease that primarily affects people in resource-poor and overcrowded countries. The study found that the global prevalence of scabies is 11.9%, with the highest prevalence in Oceania. Risk factors for scabies include contact with household members with itch, lack of soap use, bed-sharing, sharing of clothes, infrequent bathing, presence of pets, and being male. Socio-economic factors were not found to be convincingly associated with scabies prevalence. The findings suggest that health promotion programs targeting these risk factors could help reduce scabies prevalence in the long term. [Extracted from the article]