About half of the studied pupils (42.2%) were affected by skin diseases. Females were more affected than males (23.4% & 18.8% respectively). Skin diseases were more prevalent among rural school children (22.8%) than urban ones (19.4%). Infective skin diseases accounted for 48.4% of the diseased pupils, while 27.8% of cases were non-infective and 23.8% showed both infective & non-infective skin diseases. Pediculosis capitis ranked at the top of the list of skin diseases detected, with a prevalence reate of 17.9%. Pityriasis alba was the second common skin diseases and accounted for 14.7%. Fungal infections represented 11.4% while bacterial skin diseases as well as allergic skin diseases had the same prevalence reate (3-4%). Viral skin diseases had a prevalence rate of 3.1%. Socioeconomic factors (occupation and education of parents, family size and percapita income per month) had a significant effect on the prevalence of skin diseases. Also, bed-room crorwding index and, average floor area per pupil in the classroom had the same effect. |
