Tinea capitis and its associated factors among school children in Gondar town northwest, Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction Tinea capitis is a global public health concern with a unique therapeutic challenge and mostly affects children. The burden is double in developing countries. There is no study on school-going children from the urban residence in Ethiopia. Objective To determine the prevalence of Tinea capitis and its associated factors among school children in Gondar town northwest, Ethiopia 2021. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among school children in Gondar town from November 20 to December 20, 2021. Data was collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. A stratified simple random sampling technique was employed. Then data were entered into EPI Info version 7.22 and transferred to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 for further analysis. The binary logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with tinea capitis, and the strength of association and statistical significance was declared using the adjusted odds ratios with its corresponding 95% CI, and p-value ≤ 0.05 respectively. Result The prevalence of tinea capitis among school children in Gondar town was found to be 29.4%. Public school student (AOR = 2.79 95% CI: 1.34–5.87), widowed mother (AOR = 6.09, 95% CI: 1.83–11.23), students in the age group of 5–8 years (AOR = 3.79 95% CI: 1.68–8.55), animal contact (AOR = 2.61 95% CI: 1.15–5.90), and family similar illness category (AOR = 8.49 95% CI: 3.73–11.39) have risen the likelihood of tinea capitis among school children. Conclusions The prevalence of tinea capitis was higher. Young age, children from widowed marital status, illiterate mother, history of share blades, animal contact, a family similar illness, and lower number of living rooms are important factors contributing to tinea capitis among school children. Health education for the mother on the mode of transmission, prevention, and improve the low socioeconomic status of the parent is crucial. Key terms Children, Ethiopia, Gondar, School age, Tinea capitis