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Skin disease is common in rural Nepal: results of a point prevalence study
Author(s) -
Walker S.L.,
Shah M.,
Hubbard V.G.,
Pradhan H.M.,
Ghimire M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08107.x
Subject(s) - medicine , prevalence , disease , dermatology , environmental health , epidemiology
Summary Background Skin problems are the commonest reason for people accessing healthcare services in Nepal but there is little information about the prevalence of skin disease. Objectives To perform a point prevalence study of skin disease in the Terai region of Nepal. Methods Five villages were randomly selected in Bara District in the Terai region of Nepal, and 878 people were examined. Results The number of individuals identified as having a skin disease was 546. The point prevalence of identifiable skin abnormalities was 62·2% (546 of 878) (with 95% exact confidence intervals 58·9–65·4%). A wide range of dermatoses was identified. The six most prevalent were dermatophyte infections (11·4%), followed by pityriasis versicolor (8·9%), acne (7·7%), melasma (6·8%), eczema (5·6%) and pityriasis alba (5·2%). Overall, treatable skin infections and infestations were by far the commonest skin diseases identified. Conclusions Our study has demonstrated a very high point prevalence (62·2%) of skin disease in rural Nepal. This study represents the first formal survey of skin disease in Nepal and demonstrates a large burden of disease, in particular treatable infections.