Skin disorders among school children in rural Tanzania and an assessment of therapeutic needs

Trop Doct. 2006 Oct;36(4):219-21. doi: 10.1258/004947506778604823.

Abstract

Eight hundred and twenty primary school children were examined to assess the spectrum and prevalence of skin diseases in rural Tanzania. In all, 55% of the children had one or several skin disorders, but only 33% of all diagnoses in a cluster of 14% of the children required treatment. Tinea versicolor was found in 26.2%, pyoderma and dermatophytoses in less than 10%, while few children had scabies or eczematous lesions.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dermatomycoses / diagnosis
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / epidemiology
  • Dermatomycoses / etiology
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Skin Diseases / etiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / etiology
  • Tanzania / epidemiology
  • Tinea Versicolor / diagnosis
  • Tinea Versicolor / drug therapy
  • Tinea Versicolor / epidemiology
  • Tinea Versicolor / etiology