Survey on various skin ailments in school children

Dr. Mrs.Lalita S.  

Co- Authors- Dr.Premalata B.Rotti,Dr.Sangeeta C.Belagavimath Asst.Professor, Dr.Sunil B.Moogeri

ABSTRACT: Skin is reflection of internal health. Any disturbances inside will reflect on skin. This study is an attempt to study the primary and secondary skin leisons in school going children.

Methodology: This is a observation survey study conducted in three schools of Nehru Nagar, Belagavi. Students of 1st to 7th std were observed for primary and secondary skin leisons. The study was conducted for 2 years (due to lockdown) over a period of during sep 2019- sep 2021.

Results:
Out of the total number of surveyed subjects, 52 subjects (4.81%) were suffering with Dermatoses. Skin lesions are divided into primary and secondary lesions. From the observation, the primary skin lesions were suffered in 33 subjects (63.5%), of which 1 male subject had warts and 21 males & 11 females suffered with hypopigmentation.

19 subjects (36.5 %) suffered with secondary skin lesions of scabies, of which 11 subjects were males & 8 were females.

Conclusions:
Irrespective of socio-economic status of Children the health and hygiene status is good. Hence 4.81% of children had Primary & Secondary lesions.

Key Words– School children, Primary skin lesions. Secondary skin lesions.

INTRODUCTON:

A skin lesion is an abnormal growth or rash on the skin as compared to normal skin. There are two main categories of skin lesions: primary and secondary lesions.

  • Primary skin lesions are abnormal skin conditions that may be present at birth or acquired later.
  • Secondary skin lesions are a result of irritated or manipulated primary skin lesions. For example, a crust that forms following a scratch or an infected allergic wheal.

Types of primary skin lesions
Birthmarks, Blisters, Macules, Nodules, Papule, Pustule, Wheals

Types of secondary skin lesions
Crust, Ulcer, Scales, Scar, Skin atrophy.1

According to a study conducted showed, Skin conditions contributed 1.79% to the global burden of disease measured in DALYs from 306 diseases and injuries in 2013 .2

In 2010, the global burden of disease study of 187 countries determined that, all over the world, skin conditions were the fourth leading cause of non-fatal disease burden and collectively.3

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

To identify overall occurrence of primary and secondary skin lesions in preadolescents.

Type of study-observational survey study

Duration of study-The study was conducted in the year 2019- 2021.

Consent- informed consent from the school Principal

No.of participants- a total of 1081 students.

Age group-age group of 5-14 years were screened at three randomly selected schools in Nehru Nagar Belagavi.

Students were interviewed for age, residence, and any specific complaint related to skin followed by a detailed dermatological examination. The findings were recorded on a proforma and the students who needed investigations and treatment were called to our hospital.

Institutional ethical committee clearance was obtained before starting the study.

RESULT:

Out of the total number of surveyed subjects, 52 subjects (4.81%) were suffering with Dermatoses. Skin lesions are divided into primary and secondary lesions. From the observation, the primary skin lesions were suffered in 33 subjects (63.5%), of which 1 male subject had warts and 21 males & 11 females suffered with hypopigmentation.

19 subjects (36.5 %) suffered with secondary skin lesions of scabies, of which 11 subjects were males & 8 were females.

Total percentage of Male and female surveyed- 

Number of Males children 630 58.27%
Number of Females Children 451 41.72%
Total 1081 100%

From the above table, we conclude that out of 1081 subjects, the number of males was 630 (58.27%) which is comparatively more than that of the females 451 (41.72%).

 Total percentage of affected children

Total Number Total Percentage
Total affected Children (52/1081)X100 4.81%

Out of the total number of surveyed subjects, 52 subjects (4.81%) were suffering with Dermatoses.

Gender wise percentage of affected children 

Number of Males affected (33/630)X100 5.23%
Number of Females affected (22/451)X100 4.87%

From the above table, we observe that out of 52 subjects suffering from Dermatoses, the number of males was 33 (5.23%) and females were 22 (4.87%). So, we conclude that males in this study, suffered more with Dermatoses as compared to that of females.

The table below depicts the distribution of Primary and secondary skin lesions among boys and girls

SKIN LESIONS TYPE OF DERMATOSIS BOYS GIRLS TOTAL PERCENTAGE
Primary skin lesions 1.Warts 1 0 1
  2.Hypopigmentation 21 11 32
Total 22 11 33 63.5%
 Secondary skin lesions Scabies 11 8 19
Total   11 8 19  36.5%

Skin lesions are divided into primary and secondary lesions. From the observation, the primary skin lesions were suffered in 33 subjects (63.5%), of which 1 male subject had warts and 21 males & 11 females suffered with hypopigmentation.

19 subjects (36.5 %) suffered with secondary skin lesions of scabies, of which 11 subjects were males & 8 were females.

So, we conclude that primary skin lesions were suffered most prominently, in which hypopigmentation cases (32 subjects) were found to be more.

DISCUSSION:
Out of 1081 students from Shaikh central school and Siddharameshwar School (English and Kannada medium school).In our studies 52 (4.81%) were affected, among which the number of males was 33 (5.23%) and females was 22 (4.87%).

 Skin  conditions  in  this  study  were having  almost  equal  prevalence  among  males  (51.2%) and females (48.9%)4

In our study males (5.23%) were more affected than females (4.87%).)

There was little significant difference in the prevalence of Dermatoses among boys vs. girls slightly higher among boys as compared to girls. Dermatoses were categorized into 2 groups,

  1. Primary skin lesions
  2. Secondary skin lesions

Increased prevalence of hypo-pigmented patches was observed in this study.

Hypo-pigmented patches more common on face and neck in school going students. However seasonal skin ailments in children need to be studied further.

As it was conducted in only three schools of Nehru Nagar Belagavi  it needs to further extensive study for understanding the prevalence’s of Primary and secondary skin lesions in preadolescence group.

Limitations: Large area of population should be surveyed. The skin ailments on genital area is not considered. No scale is used.

Conclusion:
Irrespective of socio-economic status of Children the health and hygiene status is good. Hence 4.81% of children had Primary & Secondary lesions. However further study to be continued by using standard scales of assessment. Even though  the climate of Belagavi is damp no fungal infection was identified in preadolescence group.

References:

  1. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_types_of_skin_lesions/article.htm
  2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2604831
  3. 3. Hay RJ, Johns NE, Williams HC, Bolliger IW, Dellavalle RP, Margolis DJ et al.The global burden of skin disease in 2010: An analysis of the prevalence and impact of skin conditions. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;134(6):1-8. PubMed| Google Scholar
  4. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318644479_Pattern_of_common_skin_conditions_among_school_children_in_an_urban_area_of_a_district_in_coastal_Karnataka_a_cross-sectional_study

Author-
Dr. Mrs.Lalita S.
Nadgir,Professor H.O.D. & P.G. Guide Dept. of Repertory. A.M. Shaikh Homoeopathic Medical College, Belagavi Karnataka.

Co- Authors– Dr.Premalata B.Rotti Asst. Professor,Dr.Sangeeta C.Belagavimath Asst.Professor, Dr.Sunil B.Moogeri Asso Professor Dept. of Repertory A.M.Shaikh Homoeopathic Medical College, Belagavi Karnataka.

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