Back ground: Most superficial mycotic infections of human skin are due to dermatophytes. Children are mostly affected due to different predisposing factors especially overcrowding in classrooms. Meanwhile its transmissibility can be controlled through simple school-health measures. Objectives: This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of dermatophytes infections and their related risk factors among the primary and preparatory school pupils. Methods: In Menoufia governorate, Egypt, by using multistage random sampling technique, six public primary and preparatory schools were selected with a total number of 3464 pupils. The selected pupils were subjected to a predesigned questionnaire covering personal data and suspected risk factors for superficial dermatophyte infection, clinical examination to detect superficial dermatophyte infection with taking samples from the suspected lesions for mycological examination. Results: Among the studied pupils with age ranged from 6 – 14 years, the prevalence of clinically suspected dermatophytes infection was (1.41%) meanwhile the prevalence of culture confirmed cases was (0.98%). The most common clinical type was tinea capitis with specific prevalence (1.01%) followed by tinea pedis, tinea corporis and Onichomycosis. Microsporum canis was the only isolated organism on culturing the suspicious samples with positivity rate (69.4%). A statistically significant higher prevalence was observed among males, those with low socio economic level and with the presence of positive family history. Dealing with pits, common use of towels and sharing caps among pupils were significant risk factors of these infections. Conclusion: Dermatophytes infection is still prevalent among basic school children in Egypt. It was simply controlled as it was related mostly to preventable risk factors, so, health education program and regular screening should be advised for schools authorities.
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