The effects of climate factors on scabies. A 14-year population-based study in Taiwan
Journal
Parasite
Journal Volume
23
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Scabies is a common infectious disease and can cause severe outbreaks if not controlled quickly. Besides personal contact history, environmental factors are also important. This study analyzed the effects of environmental climate factors on the incidence of scabies in Taiwan. We conducted a 14-year nationwide population-based study: a total of 14,883 patients with scabies infestation were enrolled. Monthly climate data were collected from Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau, including data on temperature, relative humidity, total rainfall, total rain days, and total sunshine hours. The linear relationships between these climate factors and scabies infestations or other risk factors were examined by Pearson's correlation analysis. Overall, the incidence of scabies was negatively correlated with temperature (£^ =-0.152, p < 0.001), while being positively correlated with humidity (£^ = 0.192, p < 0.001). This useful information may provide evidence for lowering humidity at nursing facilities, hospitals, and military camps with scabies infestations, which may help to reduce its spread and prevent outbreaks. ? 2016 J.-M. Liu et al., published by EDP Sciences.
Subjects
Climate
National Health Insurance Research Database
Population studies
Scabies
Taiwan
SDGs
Other Subjects
rain; adult; age distribution; aged; climate; female; human; humidity; incidence; male; middle aged; scabies; season; sex ratio; sunlight; Taiwan; temperature; young adult; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Climate; Female; Humans; Humidity; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Rain; Scabies; Seasons; Sex Distribution; Sunlight; Taiwan; Temperature; Young Adult
Type
journal article
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