Publications by authors named "S M Thornley"
Aim: We sought to determine the degree of agreement between clinical and laboratory methods for diagnosing scabies in school-aged children.
Methods: Clinical information and samples were collected from children aged 7 months to 14 years attending educational institutions in Auckland, New Zealand. Two methods determined scabies status: the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies clinical criteria (IACS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Article Synopsis
- Scabies is a neglected skin disease that primarily affects people in low-resource, overcrowded areas, and this study aims to estimate its global prevalence and associated risk factors.
- Analysis of 70 studies found a global scabies prevalence of 11.9%, with the highest rates in Oceania, and identified significant behavioral risk factors such as household contact with someone itching, lack of soap use, and bed-sharing.
- The study concludes that while scabies prevalence varies by location and behavior, socioeconomic factors do not show a strong correlation, highlighting the need for targeted health promotion efforts alongside mass drug administration.
Achieving greater alignment with national curriculum and local school and teacher objectives alongside a deeper understanding of student needs can enhance the impact and reach of health promotion interventions. This study reports on teacher perspectives of a multi-pathway curriculum outline supporting learning (Grades 7-9) about sugary drinks. The outline was developed to support scale-up and sustainability of a successful sugary drink intervention trialed in four New Zealand secondary schools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: Here, we present results of a survey of scabies prevalence in childcare centres and primary schools in Auckland.
Methods: Children whose parents agreed to take part in participating centres in the Auckland region were examined for scabies by general practitioners and given questionnaires of relevant symptoms. Diagnoses of clinical or suspected scabies were made according to the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) criteria.
Aim: Scabies is a difficult disease to diagnose and its prevalence not well established. A strong association between scabies and more serious illnesses in children, for instance acute rheumatic fever, suggests greater understanding of scabies prevalence is warranted. Here, we present initial findings of a study of childcare centres, to estimate the prevalence of scabies in the Auckland community.
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