Prevalence of Dermatological Conditions Among Children of Government Primary Schools of Belagundi and Ram Nagar Area of Belagavi Taluka

Introduction

Numerous variables including ecological, environmental, ethnic, social, mental, and literacy levels have an impact on the sequence of skin diseases in India. Between 100 and 150 million children in our nation are of schoolage children. Skin conditions are more likely to affect children. Skin problems in children is a serious health issue. Although death is unlikely due to skin conditions, they can cause morbidity. A school survey is a beneficial benchmark because it is simple to carry out, needs less time, and allows for the simultaneous screening of large sample of children of a specific age group for the presence of disease. It can also be used to monitor social hygiene and health conditions, as well as the incidence of various skin diseases.¹ Infectious diseases such pyoderma, worm infestation, tinea, dermatitis, Pityriasis alba, different hyperpigmentation, and nutritional insufficiency dermatoses can be identified early and treated. Studies have been done to better understand the incidence and patterns of skin issues in children, and the results show a wide range of prevalence. There have only been a few population-based epidemiological studies on the incidence of skin diseases in school-aged children.^2,3 On a population level, we know relatively less about the prevalence and burden of skin diseases among children. Such information is crucial for the population-based needs assessment process. Personal cleanliness and health education will undoubtedly boost school children’s health. Present short survey was carried out to assess the incidence of skin disorders whatsoever it may be among Government primary school children of both rural & urban areas of Belagundi & Ram Nagar, Belagavi taluka, respectively.⁴

Materials and Method

A)  Study area: Government rural primary school, Belagundi, Belagavi taluka & Government urban primary school, Ram Nagar, Belagavi taluka.

B)  Data collection period: One day survey at each school conducted on 11/3/22 and 23/3/22.

C)  Study design: Survey method d) Sampling technique: Convenience sampling

D)  Consent: Oral consent was obtained from the headmasters of the schools involved.

E)  Sample size: Based on convenience sampling, the sample size was determined as 64.

F)  Type of study design: Short survey

G) Diagnostic tools: Diagnosis of the skin lesions was done by a comprehensive clinical evaluation of both primary & secondary lesions based on Hutchison’s clinical methods along with adequate history.⁵

H)  Inclusion criterion:

• Primary school children
• Children studying in the selected schools
• Children belonging to both the genders
• Children with all types of pathological, genetic, congenital, clinical conditions

I)  Exclusion criterion:

• Nursery, kindergarten, higher-primary and above children were excluded

K)  Calculating prevalence of each dermatological condition: The prevalence of each dermatological condition was calculated by measuring the presence of skin lesion in a sample of population selected randomly, then dividing the number of people with that form of dermatological condition by the number of people in whom it was measured. Prevalence was expressed as percentage.

Prevalence (%)       =       Number of children with dermatological condition X 100

                                                       Number of children measured

Results

In the present short survey conducted, it was observed that a higher number of children from Government rural primary school, Belagundi, Belagavi taluka (36.11%) were suffering from Pityriasis alba while a prevalence of 35.71% was noted among Government urban primary school, Ram Nagar, Belagavi taluka children which is slightly borderline to rural school children. Alongside, children from Government rural primary school, Belagundi were found to be overburdened with even primary hyperhidrosis whose existence is controversial. Other skin conditions such as dermatitis, skin injury, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, tinea, etc. sporadically suffered by children from both the schools are tabulated below in Table 1 and graphically represented in Figure 1. Children from Government urban primary school, Ram Nagar, Belagavi taluka are most profoundly free from dermatological conditions when compared to children from Government rural primary school, Belagundi, Belagavi taluka. Final results indicate the incidence of Pityriasis alba among all the children included in the study as 35.93% and the prevalence of primary hyperhidrosis as 23.43%.  

Discussion

From the present short survey conducted, it could be understood that children in the age group of 6-8 years studying at Government rural primary school, Belagundi were suffering more from dermatological conditions compared to children from Government urban primary school, Ram Nagar. The incidence of Pityriasis alba was found to be 36.11% among children of Government rural primary school while a prevalence of 35.71% was observed among Government urban primary school children. The prevalence of primary hyperhidrosis among children of Government rural primary school (38.88%) was far higher than that of Government urban primary school children (3.57%). The cause could be anything varying from nutritional, environmental, hereditary, etc. A further research on the reasons for increased dermatological conditions in children is required with inclusion of large sample from both rural and urban schools.

Limitations

• Moist/ sweaty hands of most of the children leading us towards the diagnosis of primary hyperhidrosis could be misleading due to environmental factors and their daily habits at school/ house such as playing, washing hands, drinking water, summer season etc.
• Sample size was very small
• Age group included in the study was limited
• The survey was conducted including only two schools

Scope

• The present short survey will help find the gap in research for further studies including a larger sample size.
• This survey can serve as a base for other researchers for continuing the research regarding the cause of dermatological conditions among primary school children.

Conclusion

The prevalence of dermatological conditions is higher in children from rural areas. Early detection and timely intervention require health education of children, teachers, and carers about the signs and symptoms of skinconditions. It is essential to assess the incidence of skin disorders in order to implement necessary educational programmes and preventive measures. 

Conflict of Interest

None