Background and study aim ‎: Tinea pedis is a common affliction of the feet that causes maceration, scaliness, pruritus, pain, and ‎life quality impairment when untreated. TP affects individuals who wear occlusive footwear ‎disproportionately.  A case-control design was made to determine the frequency, risk factors, and ‎implicated organisms among Policemen in Osogbo and compare with control‎.
Patients and methods: ‎250 policemen and 250 non-uniform wearing control were recruited. Relevant clinical data and ‎physical examination were documented. TP was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by culture‎.
Results: The frequency of clinically (12.4% vs. 8.4%) and mycologically (9.6% vs. 6.8%) diagnosed TP ‎were higher among Policemen than non-uniform wearing control. Interdigital TP was predominant, ‎followed by the moccasin type. One to two interdigital spaces were frequently affected. Occlusive ‎boots and socks wearing, prolonged use of socks, sharing of shower sponge, leather boot, sports ‎participation, and farming (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with TP in Policemen. Family ‎history of atopy (p < 0.001) and sharing socks (p=0.02) were significantly associated with TP in ‎controls.  In multivariate analysis, odds of mycological positive TP were significantly increased in ‎male gender (OR = 6.479, 95% CI = 1.49-28.26, p=0.013), by farming or gardening (OR = 2.622, ‎‎95% CI = 2.54-15.11, p=0.009) and excessive sweating in feet or palm (OR = 6.197, 95% CI = ‎‎0.75-3.55, p < 0.001)‎.
Conclusion: Tinea pedis remains a disease of public health importance among occlusive wearers. Determinants ‎of TP include male gender, farming, and excessive sweating in palms and feet.