Categories

Volume 3 Issue 2 (April - June, 2015)

Original Articles

Prevalence of Common Skin Disorders in School Going Children-A Cross Sectional Study
Harsh Wardhan

Introduction: Pediatric dermatoses vary in clinical features, treatment, and prognosis from adult dermatoses so that they have to be addressed in a different way. These diseases also act as a window to many systemic disorders. Hence, a knowledge of the pattern and prevalence of skin disorders in school children and help us to strategise our health plan in that particular area. Aim: The present study was conducted to find the prevalence and pattern of skin diseases among school-going children of age 5–14 years. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two schools (1 government school and 1 private). Each child was interviewed for age, residence, and any specific complaint related to skin. Then, the student was evaluated for hygiene status. Each child was then subjected to a complete dermatological examination including skin, nail, and mucosa in adequate daylight. Information regarding duration, number, progression, symptoms and family history of skin disorders was obtained. After examination, skin diseases were classified into three broad categories for the purpose of analysis: (1) infectious dermatoses, (2) noninfectious dermatoses, (3) nutritional deficiency dermatoses. Results: We included 200 children between 5-14 years, and observed that males constituted 60% while females were 40%. The mean age of the study population is 10.4 years. Overall Prevalence of skin disorders were found in 49.24% school children. Skin disorders were more common in female school children accounting for 49 cases (61.25%) as compared to male school children. It was observed that 85 (42.5%) students had infectious dermatoses, 28 (14%) students had noninfectious dermatoses, and only 10 (5%) had nutritional deficiency dermatoses. Overall prevalence of dermatoses in the school-going children in our study came to be 49.24%. Infectious dermatoses was the most common category of lesions in our study. Conclusion: Even though most of the dermatoses were asymptomatic, routine school survey should be carried out every year for the early diagnosis and treatment of communicable and nutritional diseases. Hence we can conclude that both Health education and awareness and practice of good personal hygiene among school going children will definitely help improve the health status of school children. Key words: Prevalence, dermatological diseases, school children.

 
Abstract View | Download PDF | Current Issue