Prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of skin disease among lower primary school children in Calicut, Kerala

Background: Very few studies provide information on the prevalence and determinants of skin disease among children of school going age group in India. Aim: To assess the prevalence and socio demographic determinants of skin disease among lower primary school children in Calicut, Kerala. Methods: Study subjects included children of lower primary classes I to IV, aging from five to eleven years. Total of 919 subjects were studied from ten schools of Calicut Corporation chosen using multistage sampling method. Study period was from January to June 2006. Data was collected using a carry home questionnaire and clinical examination was done in the school. Prevalence of common skin diseases was calculated. The association between various factors and skin disease was compared using chi square test (÷2) and level of significance was estimated with 95% confidence intervals and p value. Results: The study revealed overall prevalence of skin disease to be 70.5 % (95% CI, 62.5%-78.6%). Prevalence of transmissible and non transmissible skin diseases were 61% and 31.8% respectively. Pediculosis capitis was the most frequent transmissible skin disease (52.6%) and pityriasis alba was the most frequent non transmissible skin disease (11.9%). Age of the child, number of children in the family and overcrowding showed statistically significant association with prevalence of skin disease in this population. Socio economic status did not demonstrate statistically significant association with prevalence of skin disease. Conclusion: Skin disease constitutes a public health problem in this population and is not given due attention .Thus appropriate interventions are needed.