Factors supporting sustainability of a community‐based scabies control program

Abstract

SUMMARY Scabies remains a major problem in Aboriginal communities within the Northern Territory of Australia. Secondary skin infection with Group A streptococcus (GAS) is very common and post‐streptococcal disease rates remain high. Treating families in isolation will have only limited success, as reinfection frequently occurs as a result of the high levels of movement between households and communities. We describe the results of a successful community intervention to reduce scabies and GAS skin infection in one of the largest Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, 15 months post‐intervention, and we discuss factors that have led to the success and sustainability of the program.