The PDF of this article is available fromhttp://jiom.com.np/index.php?journal=jiomjournal&page=article&op=view&path[]=580&path[]=537Journal of Institute of Medicine, December, 2012; 34:44-49
CitationShrestha R, Lama L, Gurung D, Shrestha DP, Rosdahl I. Pattern of skin diseases in a rural village development community of Nepal. NJDVL 2014; 12(1): 41 -44.
AbstractIntroduction: Skin diseases are a common cause of morbidity in Nepal as per the health services report. There is limited information on the prevalence and pattern of skin diseases in the community.Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the pattern of skin diseases in a rural village development community of Nepal.
Material and methods:Two dermatologic health camps were conducted, during which, the villagers were examined by dermatologists. The skin diseases diagnosed were recorded in a proforma.Results: There were 433 individuals examined and 359 (male-47.9%; female-52.1%) had skin disease identified clinically (camp prevalence-83%). The age of patients ranged from 1 to 80 years (mean-24.5; SD±15.9), with majority in the age group of 10-19 years. The most common skin disease category was eczemas (36.4%), followed by infections (28.4%), acne (22%), pigment disorders (34%) and urticaria (12.3%).
Conclusion:Skin diseases were common in the community. The five most common Skin disease categories were eczemas, infections, acne and pigment disorders were the more common conditions.
Introduction: Skin diseases (SDs) are one of the most common health problems in Nepal. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of SDs and impact on quality of life (QoL) in a rural community in Nepal. Methods: A house-to-house survey was conducted in a community with 3,207 inhabitants, to obtain socio-demographic data and identify individuals with SDs. Free examination and treatment was offered at 4 health camps. Individuals with long-standing SDs were interviewed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: Of 735 individuals attending the health camps, 645 (mean age 24.9 years, range 0.5-90) had one or more SDs. The overall prevalence of SDs was 20.1% (males 18.1%, females 22.5% and children 28.2%). The most common SD categories were eczemas (12.2%), pigment disorders (4.1%), acne (2.7%), urticaria (2.4%) and moles and lumps (1.6%). In the Nepalese culture, the DLQI question on sexuality was too direct so only 9/10 questions were used. In the 75 patients who were interviewed, the mean DLQI score was 10.7 (range 7-19), indicating a large impact on QoL. Conclusions: This population-based study shows that SDs were very common in a rural community in Nepal. The five most common SD categories comprise 77% of all SDs. Targeted training should enable health-care workers to prevent, accurately diagnose and manage these problems on site. An appropriate instrument to measure QoL adjusted to the socio-cultural norms of Nepal has to be developed
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