Prevalence and Determinants of Scabies Infection among Male Inmates at Kiambu Main Prison, Kenya: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study

The study examined the prevalence and causes of scabies infection among 188 inmates at Kiambu Main Prison in Kenya during May and June 2026. The prevalence of scabies was 54.8% (95% CI: 46.5-61.6%). Daily bathing, bathing 2-3 times per week, and daily clothes washing were associated with lower infection risk. Remandees had higher infection risk than convicted prisoners. Qualitative analysis identified overcrowding, inadequate hygiene resources, lack of health education, medication shortage, and treatment delays as main causes of infection transmission. Scabies prevalence remains high and its reduction requires improved prison health services including routine screening, health education, and better access to hygiene resources.