Prevalence of Tinea Infections Among Athletes at Sports Training Centres in Lagos State, South West Nigeria

Dermatophytic tinea infections are common among athletes due to close physical contact, shared facilities, and sustained sweating, representing a dermatological and microbiological concern in sports medicine settings. This study investigated the prevalence and causal species of tinea infections among athletes at sports training centres in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 athletes of both sexes participating in football, wrestling, and athletics, recruited from four training facilities. Clinical examination was performed by trained personnel to identify suspected tinea lesions, followed by collection of skin scrapings, nail clippings, and hair samples for mycological analysis. Direct microscopy in 10% KOH and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar were used for fungal identification. An overall tinea prevalence of 38.0% was recorded. Tinea pedis was most prevalent at 47.4%, followed by tinea cruris at 30.3% and tinea corporis at 15.8%. Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant isolate at 56.6%, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans. Male athletes and those engaged in contact sports had significantly higher infection rates. Shared towels, communal showers, and barefoot walking in changing rooms were major risk factors. The study recommends antifungal prophylaxis protocols, regular disinfection of sports facilities, and education of athletes and coaches on prevention of tinea infections across Lagos sports institutions. Keywords: tinea infections, dermatophytes, athletes, Trichophyton rubrum, Lagos State