Objectives: To determine the prevalence of skin disease in a rural Tanzanian community and to investigate the health-seeking behavior of this community. Design:The study was in 3 parts: (1) 120 heads of households were interviewed to determine the factors that influence the families' health-seeking behavior;(2) the 800 members of these families were examined for evidence of skin disease; and (3) a focus group discussion was held with influential members of the community to get a broader view of health-seeking behavior.