Role of Scabies Detection Methods in Diagnosis of Scabies in Patients Attending Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Skin Clinic in Western Uganda

Introduction: Scabies, a skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, remains a significant global health burden, affecting approximately 200 million people worldwide. The disease presents with both typical and atypical clinical variants, complicating its diagnosis. Various diagnostic tools, including dermoscopy, burrow ink test (BIT), and microscopy, have been employed to detect scabies, yet their effectiveness, especially in populations with Skin of Colour, remains underexplored.  Objective: This study aimed to determine the role of microscopy on skin scrapings, BIT and dermoscopy as screening tests in the diagnosis of scabies infestation in patients seen at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Skin Clinic in Western Uganda.  Study Methods: The study utilized a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive design at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) Skin Clinic from December 2024 to February 2025. A total of 540 participants were enrolled consecutively. Data collection involved clinical examination, structured questionnaires, and diagnostic tests performed by principal investigator and trained research assistants under supervision of a certified dermatologist. Findings were analyzed using Stata version 17. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants provided informed consent, with confidentiality maintained.  Results: A total of 540 participants were enrolled with majority being females (60%)and aged between 0 to 9 years (24.3%). Microscopy on skin scrapings demonstrated the highest sensitivity (52.94%), while dermoscopy and the burrow ink test had lower sensitivity (23.53%), though all methods had a specificity of 100%.