Epidemiological Survey of Skin Diseases in Schoolchildren Living in the Purus Valley (Acre State, Amazonia, Brazil)

Abstract

A total of 9,955 schoolchildren aged 6–16 years have been examined in a tropical region. The prevalence of dermatosis varied from 21 to 87% in the municipalities surveyed. The most common dermatoses were pediculosis (prevalence 50%), nevi (16.8%), pityriasis versicolor (13.2%), pyoderma (12.2%), pityriasis alba (9.9%), dermatophytosis (6.2%), viral dermatosis (6.2%), scabies (3.0%) and acne vulgaris (2.7%). The prevalence of angular stomatitis, miliaria rubra, candidiasis, piedra nigra, keratosis pilaris, ephelides and geographic tongue is lower but still relatively high. Females had higher rates of pediculosis capitís and males higher prevalence of pityriasis alba. The prevalence of pityriasis versicolor, pigmented nevus and scabies was similar in males and females. Folliculitis, macular pigmented nevi and especially pityriasis versicolor tended to increase with age. Leprosy is hyperendemic in the surveyed area and its rate in the schoolchildren examined was 0.08%. Population movement (urbanization), socioeconomic situation, living conditions, promiscuity, and lack of hygiene may be the cause of such high prevalence and of association of two or more skin conditions. Climatic conditions might have enhanced the prevalence of certain dermatoses (pityriasis versicolor, dermatophytosis, piedra nigra, candidiasis, miliaria rubra).

Prevalence of vitiligo in Brazil—A population survey

“…In Mexico, a multicentre survey with 50,000 individuals estimated the prevalence to be 0.21% (Estrada Castañón et al, 1992), but data for South America are relatively sparse. A small Brazilian study revealed self-reported vitiligo in one case among 515 adult workers (Ishiy, Silva, Penha, Handel, & Miot, 2014), and an examination of 9,955 schoolchildren from Amazonia resulted in a prevalence of 0.04% (Bechelli et al, 1981). It is important to note, however, that prevalence data do not only depend on study population but also on study methodology.…”

Prevalence of Skin Conditions Among Pediatric Patients in the Region of Istanbul

“…Viral infeksiyonlar, fungal infeksiyonlar, bakteriyel infeksiyonlar ve paraziter infeksiyonlar çal›flmam›zda s›ras›yla %7,7, %3,6, %1,7, %0,3 oran›nda saptand›. Brezilya'da saptanan insidanslar bizim çal›flmam›za göre daha farkl› olarak %6,2, %20,5, %12,2 ve %52,9 oran›nda bulunmufltu 9 . Brezilya'n›n tropikal bir ülke olmas› ve s›cak hava infeksiyöz hastal›k insidans›n-da art›fla sebep olabilir.…”

Prevalência de dermatoses pediátricas em um hospital universitário na região sudeste do Brasil

“…The diseases most frequently found are infections and infestations such as pediculosis, dermatophytosis and impetigo. 7 A similar study in Northeast Brazil (Pernambuco) 2 on the prevalence of pediatric skin diseases was also found.…”