Prevalence and Factors Associated with Superficial Cutaneous Fungal infections of Patients Treated at Public Hospitals in Trang Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with superficial cutaneous fungal infections among patients treated at public hospitals in Trang Province. Data were collected using secondary data from the database of patients who visited hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Trang Province for the past 3 years, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023, totaling 1,342 patients.  The patients were diagnosed with superficial skin fungal infection and had a KOH preparation laboratory test result confirming the diagnosis. The data were analyzed using Multiple Logistic Regression statistics.

The results showed the prevalence of superficial skin fungal infections in patients admitted to hospitals under the MOPH, Trang Province was 33.2 percent, with Candida infection having the highest prevalence at 17.4 percent, followed by ringworm at 13.9 percent, and tinea versicolor at 1.9 percent, respectively.  The district with the highest prevalence of superficial skin fungal infections was Hat Samran District at 58.18 percent, followed by Huai Yot District, Wang Wiset District, and Palian District, respectively. Factors significantly associated with superficial skin fungal infections were: 1) The patient's place of residence, i.e. Hat Samran District, Huai Yot District, Wang Wiset District, Palian District, and Mueang District had a higher risk of superficial skin fungal infections than Yan Ta Khao District, with OR values ​​of 7.73, 5.60, 4.06, 2.95, and 2.15 times, respectively; 2) Marital status, where single patients were 1.49 times more likely to have superficial skin fungal infections than married patients, and patients with other statuses (divorced, widowed) were 1.86 times more likely to have superficial skin fungal infections than married patients; and 3) Smoking, where smokers were less likely to have superficial skin fungal infections than non-smokers, or had a 47% lower chance of having superficial skin fungal infections.  For other factors, including education level, religion, occupation, and body mass index, no statistical significance was found (p-value > 0.05). Although occupation and body mass index were not statistically significant, it was found that patients with occupations as general employees, general laborers, farmers, or government officials had a significantly higher chance of getting superficial skin fungal infections than patients with occupations as merchants or self-employed (p-value < 0.05). Patients with a body mass index above normal had a significantly higher chance of getting superficial skin fungal infections than patients with normal body mass index (p-value < 0.05).The findings can be used to monitor, educate and plan for prevention of superficial skin fungal infections in risk groups, such as those residing in Hat Samran District, those who work as laborers or farmers, or those with a body mass index above normal, etc.