Scabies Mainly Affects Underprivileged Lot Of Population

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Introduction and Background of the Study
Currently, the world seems to be preoccupied with issues such as the tension between the U.S. and North Korea while some are still in shock after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. Renowned organizations charged with overseeing issues of health globally seem to always overlook scabies despite its increased rate of morbidity. First of all, scabies is a skin disease that is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (Engelman, 1). Scabies is not widely known, mainly due to the lack of proper propagation channels and therefore, more people become victims because of ignorance. Currently, almost all attentions is dedicated towards big-name diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Therefore, efforts to spread information regarding scabies or to even sensitize the public about the same seem sluggish and without purpose. However, researchers such as Engelman et al. (1) contend that “coordinated, global efforts to control this ubiquitous pathogenic mite are both important and achievable.”
In the developed countries, the rate of infection is lower than in the developing countries mainly because scabies affects “particularly the most vulnerable sectors of society” (Engelman, 1). Engelman and his colleagues (2013) continue to state that “children in developing countries are most susceptible, with an average prevalence of 5-10%” (1). This is quite a high infection rate which deserves a higher degree of response, but apparently, it has not been forthcoming. According to Johnston (2005), scabies is highly contagious and is often spread through direct contact with skin. However, he continues to state that while it can also be spread through clothes and bedding, fewer cases of the same have been reported. Infestation of scabies customarily occurs after a pregnant female mite manages to burrow into the victim’s skin and ultimately lays eggs. If not detected early and contained, Johnston warns that the larvae often emerges soon after and digs new burrows. Once they mature, they mate and continue the same cycle thus spreading to other parts of the body.
As already stated, scabies mainly affects the underprivileged lot of the population mainly because it thrives in overcrowded and poverty-stricken areas. Engelman et al. (2013) note that “scabies causes intense itch, severely affecting sleep and quality of life” (1). While itching can be disregarded as normal at times, with prior information of the signs and symptoms of this malaise, it will be easier for people to confront it or seek medical attention once they suspect they have acquired it. Making the world understand the importance of sensitizing people about this condition has proven to be quite hard and nothing has been done yet to effect change. However, with an estimated 300 million cases of morbidity annually on the global scale, it is crucial to consider the significance of scabies as a burden on the global health resources. Johnston (2005) notes that scabies is a significant burden and one that needs to be addressed as such.
At the forefront of any fight to curb the effects of a disease are the nurses but as alr...