HEALTH FACILITY-RELATED FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREVALENCE OF SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 15 YEARS AND BELOW AT KAWOLO HOSPITAL, BUIKWE DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Superficial fungal infections (SFI) are infections associated with the outermost layer of the skin and its appendages such as nails, skin, and hair. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine the health facility-related factors contributing to the prevalence of superficial fungal infections among youths aged 15 years and below at Kawolo Hospital, Buikwe district.

Methodology

The study was a descriptive cross-sectional that employed a quantitative data collection method whereby a simple random sampling technique was used to select the 40 respondents(caregivers).

Results

The majority 15(37.5%) of the respondents were Basoga by tribe and the minority 2(5%) were Banyankole. Almost half of the participants 15 (45%) their level of education was Secondary and a minority 2(5%) had not attended formal education. The findings on health facility-related factors; lack of consultation from the dermatologist about the child’s condition 39 (97.5%), not visiting the health facility 20 (50%), unsterile linens and nets used in hospital 25 (62.5%) and 20(50%) reported health facility has no equipment that enables for diagnosis of superficial fungal infection

Conclusion

Health facility-related factors contributing to the prevalence of superficial fungal infections were lack of consultation from the dermatologist about the child’s condition and the reported health facility has no equipment that enables for diagnosis of superficial fungal infection.

Recommendations

The ministry should put dermatological clinical guides that must be followed in the management of dermatological conditions like superficial fungal infections.