An unprecedent prevalence of palmoplantar warts among nursing students

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Skin diseases are common contributors to disease morbidity worldwide, particularly among adolescents. Although skin diseases are rarely lethal, they can have a significant impact in terms of treatment cost, absence from school, and psychological distress. Verruca vulgaris (cutaneous warts) is a common skin problem in adolescents that commonly affects the hands and feet. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of warts among nursing students.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>Three hundred and twenty eight undergraduate degree students of nursing college were examined for skin conditions after an unprecedented sporadic visitors form the nursing college with palmo-plantar warts. The study was conducted at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari district during the period of 20 March 2019 to 25 March 2019.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 328 students, 102 students (31%) remained healthy dermatologically. Seborrheic dermatitis was found among 145 students (4.4%), pediculosis was found in 40 students (12%). 34 students were having palmoplantar warts (10.4%). Among these, nearly 30 were having palmar warts and only 4 were having plantar and palmar warts. 83 first year students were not having any warts in their hands or foot, whereas 11 among 2nd year, 16 among 3rd year students and 7 among 4th year students were having viral warts. Prevalence was more among 2nd and 3rd year students.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Screening of hostel students should also include for the presence of viral skin disease like herpes simplex, Herpes zoster and HPV infections and they should be treated then and there to break the chain of transmission.</p>