USE OF NEEM OIL IN MANAGEMENT OF SKIN INFECTIONS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN IBADAN

Abstract

Skin diseases are among the common childhood problems of public health importance in Nigeria. Although studies have shown that Neem oil is non-toxic and has potential antimicrobial use when applied topically, there is dearth of information in Nigeria relating to its therapeutic use in the treatment of skin infections The objective of the study was to determine the treatment effectiveness or Neem oil in the management of skin infections among selected primary school children in lbadan. The study has both laboratory and survey components One-stage sampling method was used in randomly selecting five public primary schools From the seventy-six schools in ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria. Physical examination or all the 1,109 pupils in primary three to six was used to establish the presence of skin infections. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered on pupils with infection Microscopic examination of scalp scrapings was done before administration of. Neem oil Neem oil was given to pupils to apply two times daily on the affected region in school with the assistance of their teachers and at homes with the assistance of their parents. Infected skin circumference measured with a tape rule before treatment with Neem oil was compared to that obtained after weekly monitoring of respondents for four weeks. One-on-one in-depth interview (IDI) with 25 teachers as used to facilitate the conduct or the study. Data from questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and paired t-test, while themes were developed from in-depth interviews. The mean age of the infected children was 11.0 (±1.93) years. Clinically diagnosed cases of skin infections were found in 260 (23.4%) pupils, with more males (77. 7%) infected than females (22.3%) Proportion of infections among pupils were, primary three (33.5%); primary four (29.6%); primary five (19.2%) and (17.7%) for primary six Pupils whose parents' do not live together accounted for 65. 0% of the infected pupils compared to 35.0% whose parents stay together. About 73.4% reported they had at least one person with the infection in their homes. The types or skin infections diagnosed were Tinea capitis (93.5%); Pityriasis versicolor (3.1%) and Skin furuncles (0.4%) while (2.7%) had multiple infections. The identified causative dermatophytes from the scalp scrapings were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (72.0%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (28.0%). There was a significant reduction in proportion of skin circumference covered by infection over the treatment period from 35.7 cm to 7 5 cm (P<0.05, t = 49.42). The IDI data revealed unanimity of opinions among the interviewees that Neem oil was effective in the clearance of infections when applied consistently for a period of four weeks. It was also agreed that Neem oil could serve as an alternative to conventional treatment, which are mostly unaffordable, by residents in the study area. The therapeutic effect of Neem oil on the clearance of the diagnosed skin infections was established Therefore, it uses should he promoted as part of the school health services using training, public enlightenment and advocacy strategies Key words: Neem oil, Fungal Skin infections, Treatment, Primary School pupils, Environment word count: 484