A STUDY OF DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN RELATION TO PERSONAL HYGIENE AND NUTRITIONAL INDICATORS AMONG GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN OF AGE GROUP 11 - 16 YRS

BACKGROUND: Skin disorders affect 20-30% of the general population at any one time. Personal hygiene, nutrition and Socio demographic factors play pivotal roles in determining the pattern of skin disease. Very few studies provide information on the prevalence and determinants of skin disease among children of school going age group in India There are hardly any studies focusing on children of Hyderabad. Hence, the following study was carried out to determine the prevalence of dermatological disorders among school children of age group 11-16 yrs. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dermatological disorders among Govt. high school children in relation with personal hygiene, nutritional status and socio demographic indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and the study subjects included students of Govt. high school located at Musheerabad, belonging to class VI to IX. A total of 100 students have been studied and the study period was from 19th Nov to 25th Nov 2011. the sample size was calculated from prevalence shown in various studies (50% skin disorders), with an allowable error of 20% of P. Data collection included personal hygiene questionnaire, clinical examination, magnifying lens, measuring tape and a weighing machine. Prevalence of common skin diseases was calculated and statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: The proportion of skin disorders is seen to be 77% of the total study. The proportion of skin disorders is higher in females (p<0.05), mid adolescent age (p<0.05), fathers being heavy workers and working mothers, hostel residence (p<0.05) and infrequent head bath. The proportion of skin disorders is not seen to be influenced by BMI-for-age and bathing frequency. Common dermatological disorders elicited were Pytiriasis simplex capillitii (27%), Acne vulgaris (22%), Pediculosis capitis (18%), Pytiriasis alba (14%) and Scabies (11%). CONCLUSION: Skin disease constitutes a public health problem in this population and is not given due attention. Thus appropriate interventions are needed.