The Prevalence of Skin Disease Among School Children in Rural Ethiopia—A Preliminary Assessment of Dermatologic Needs

Abstract: It Is always assumed that the prevalence of skin diseases in developing countries is very high, and that infestations and skin Infections are highly endemic in poor rural communities; however, very few epidemiologlc reports verify these assumptions. As part of a continuing Study of dermatologic needs in southwestern Ethiopia, and to estimate the prevalence of treatable skin disease in children, a school survey was undertaken in Shebe. In October 1992,112 children were examined by a team of dermatologists and their conditions were recorded. Twenty‐two children (19.6%) were considered healthy and 90 (80.4%) had one or more skin diseases. A total of 140 conditions were identified and considered treatable in 98% of children. Infestations were the most prevalent skin pathology, 81.2%, followed by fungal infections, 13.4%.

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