Pattern of skin diseases in children attending anganwadis a cross sectional study Umashankar Hemalatha1,*, Subramanian Mangala2 1Asst Professor, Deparment of Community Medicine, The Oxford Medical College and Research Center 2Professor and HOD, Dept of Community Medicine, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center *Coressponding Author: Dr. Hemalatha Umashankar 4064, 5th cross, 19th A Main HAL 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar, Bangalore-560008 Phone: 9449262124
Online published on 25 September, 2018. Abstract Background Skin diseases in children are common and are either transitory or chronic and recurrent. Monitoring their epidemiology helps in effectively planning relevant educational programs and preventive measures. The pattern of skin disease is a consequence of low socio economic status, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor hygiene, illiteracy, and social backwardness in many parts of India.1 The present study was carried to find out the pattern and incidence of various skin disorders in preschool children (upto 5 years) attending, the Anganwadis at Sarjapura PHC Area Method A cross sectional study was conducted on children attending the 26 Anganwadis of Sarjapur PHC. A total of 412 children were examined. The various dermatological disorders were diagnosed in accordance with diagnostic criteria and point prevalence of each diseases is determined. Skin disorders were classified into groups like Infectous Dermatosis, Non-Infectious Dermatosis and nutritional deficiency Dermatosis which include bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, eczematous, allergic, papulosquamous, pigmentary, miscellaneous. Results A total of 68(16.5%) children were found to have dermatological disorders. Male patients (56.6%) out-numbered female patients (43.4%). Maximum prevalence was of Pityriasis Alba infections (41.1%). Other infections, include fungal infections, scabies, warts, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and popular urticaria. Conclusions The prevalence of certain skin diseases in children reflects the status of health, hygiene, and personal cleanliness in a community The role of low socio economic status, overcrowding, and low level of health education, under nutrition and consequent poor immunity are emphasized by these preventable diseases. Hence necessitates the need of health education at Anganwadis. Top Keywords Anganwadis, Dermataogical disorders, Under five population. Top |