Prevalence of dermatosis in scholars in the region of ABC paulista Prevalência de dermatoses em escolares na região do ABC paulista

BACKGROUND: Literature shows that prevalence of skin diseases in children and adolescents aged 7-14 years is very significant, as well as lack of treatment worsening the situation. OBJECTIVES: An investigative analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in individuals 714 years and focus on whether or not they are related directly to their respective socio-economic status. METHODS: 200 children and adolescents were examined aged 7-14 years,between August and November 2006,100 children in two public schools located in the periphery and 100 in two private schools located in upper middleclass neighborhood in Santo André,located in São Paulo.Investigative method used was the clinical examination of the whole skin, mucous areas and palpable ganglia,and the population sample analyzed according to the chi-square. RESULTS: 87.5% of children had some skin disease.46 dermatoses were found,the most important:a)melanocytic nevi (p <0.001);b)acne grade II (p = 0.004);c)pityriasis alba (p <0.001);d)livedo reticularis (p = 0.025); e)pediculosis (p <0.001);f)asteatosis (p <0.001);g) frictional dermatitis (p = 0.007).Small prevalence of skin diseases was observed in children in public schools (53.14%). CONCLUSIONS: This population sample indicated that 87.5% of children had skin diseases,which prevalence was much higher than those found in the literature(30-50%),showing a lightly enhanced prevalence in public schools.The study showed the neglect of parents and caregivers,indicating the need for interference from public policy,which lack certainly is responsible for high rate and can increase it.