Prevalence and pattern of skin disorders among female school children in Eastern Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence and pattern of skin disorders among female schoolchildren in primary and intermediate schools in Al-Khobar city, Eastern Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from January-March 2003. It involved 2239 female schoolchildren randomly selected from 30 regular public and private primary and preparatory schools. We used a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation. We collected data using a pre-designed structured questionnaire and clinical examination. The prevalence of skin diseases among female schoolchildren in Al-Khobar city was 98.6%. The most common skin disease and conditions group was the pigmentary disorders [91.6%], followed by a group of dermatitis/eczema and related conditions [26.7%], and disorders of skin appendages [25.3%]. The common skin diseases and conditions in this study were melanocytic nevi [MN] [68%], post-inflammatory pigmentation [56.6%], scars [26.8%], acne [22.5%], dandruff [18.1%], pediculosis capitis [5.2%] and eczema [3.1%]. Postinflammatory hyper/hypo pigmentation was more common among primary schoolchildren, whereas MN, dandruff, keratosis pilaris, acne and folliculitis were significantly more common among preparatory schoolchildren. The prevalence of skin disorders among female schoolchildren in Al-Khobar city was very high. Therefore, we recommended the introduction of a preventive health education program for schoolchildren at different levels and their families and teachers on skin diseases

Dermatoses in obese female schoolchildren in Al Khobar area, eastern Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent skin disorders in obese female schoolchildren in primary and intermediate schools in the Al-Khobar area, Eastern Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Al-Khobar area. It involved 2239 female schoolchildren randomly selected from 30 regular public and private primary and preparatory schools. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used. Data was collected using clinical examination and anthropometric measurements. The skin diseases that were most common in obese schoolchildren were: dandruff, acne, xerosis, acanthosis nigricans, folliculitis, alopecia, stria distensae [stretch marks] and callosity. obesity is associated with specific skin disorders. Health education programs on skin diseases and obesity should be provided to all schoolchildren, their families and teachers