Risk Factors Associated with Onychomycosis in Patients Attending Dermatology Units of Some Hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria

Onychomycosis is caused by different organisms especially the genus Trichophyton responsible for fungal nail infection. If left untreated, infection can spread to every nail and over time, the nails become thick, brittle, and ingrown causing pain and discomfort. To investigate the risk factors associated with onychomycosis in patients attending some hospitals within Benue state. A total of 384 finger and toenail samples were collected, disinfected, and subjected to laboratory examination using standard microbiological procedures. Some risk factors for onychomycosis including age, occupation, gender, diabetes mellitus condition, household contacts with animals, use of occlusive footwears, obesity, immune status, family history of onychomycosis, exposure to humid environments among others were investigated using structured questionnaire. The logistic regression for multivariate analysis was further used to identify the relationship between risk factors and onychomycosis. From the 384 samples collected, 226 fungal species were isolated from culture of toeand fingernails samples. Tinea rubrum was identified in159 (70.36%) followed by As per gillusspp., 30 (13.27%), Candida (Yeast), 19 (8.41%), Trichophytoninterdigitale,11 (4.87%) and Epidermophy tonfloc cosum was8 (3.54%). Age was statistically significant toony chomycos is with a positive association (OR=3.06, P=0.02; ≤0.05), while gender (OR=0.85, P=0.45>0.05)and occupation was not statistically significant (OR=1.21, P=0.66; >0.05). Use of occlusive footwear, keeping of long nails, and wearing used shoes showed statistically significant associations with onychomycosis. Individuals who engaged in the afore mentioned risk factors had high odds ratio (39.0, 5.95 and 1.26 respectively). Diabetes mellitus condition, trauma/damage to nails, nail psoriasis, obesity, and immunosuppression also showed statistically significant associations with onychomycosis. Odds ratio was (1.27, 1.86, 4.12, 1.05 and 3.14) respectively. Onychomycosis remains the most common nail disorder with a significant burden. There is need for prevention through practice of good personal hygiene and prescribed treatment of onychomycosis as it can have a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life.