Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Thesis Advisor
Deborah Meshel, BSN, MSN
Abstract
Scabies is a highly transmissible skin infestation that represents a significant public health issue in correctional institutions. Inmates are particularly susceptible to scabies outbreaks due to factors such as high population density, cramped living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and frequent turnover of inmates. Addressing scabies in correctional facilities is vital for protecting inmate well-being, making it essential to explore the most effective ways to tackle this issue. This research aims to determine whether nurse-led educational training sessions for inmates can enhance their knowledge of scabies and effectively reduce its manifestations. This research proposal will use a quantitative-quasi research approach with a convenient sample of 200 inmates from Marin County Jail and be conducted over 6 months. The participants will be divided based on the prison wings they live in: Wing B will be the control group and Wing A will be the experimental group. The control group will receive standard care, while the experimental group will attend educational sessions with nurses 3 times a week, over the course of 6 weeks. An understanding of scabies, personal hygiene practices, and perspective on the issue will be measured using the KAP survey tool prior to the study and after the 6 weeks to determine the impact of the teaching sessions. Electronic Health Records (EHR) of the inmates will also be monitored during the study to track all cases of scabies. The researchers anticipate that nurse-led education will significantly reduce scabies, contributing to better health outcomes within this population.