ABSTRACT
Introduction: Skin disorders are common in children but havenot been regarded as a public health problem even though theyput a large burden on health care systems worldwide. Aboutone-third of children in India are affected by skin disorders atany given time. Climatic factors, poor hygiene, poor accessto water, household overcrowding and close contact lead tothis high prevalence. However there is a relative paucity ofdata in comparison to this high prevalence. Study objectivewas to determine the prevalence and pattern of skin disordersamongst school going children aged 6 to 17 years in ruraland urban Jaipur and their nutritional, socio-economic andstandard of sanitation correlates.Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional studycarried out in 410 children aged 6-17 years from ten randomlyselected schools, five rural and five urban, in Jaipur from 1stJanuary 2017 to 30th June 2018. Detailed history includinggrading of socioeconomic status and standard of sanitation aswell as physical examination were done with due regard toprivacy. Clinical diagnosis was made.Results: The prevalence of skin disorders was found to be48.3%, more in girls (59.6%) and more in rural areas (58.1%).Seborrhoea capitis (15.4%) was the most common followedby Acne vulgaris (13.2%), Pityriasis alba (4.4%), Tinea (alltypes) (3.9%), Pediculosis capitis (3.2%), and Furunculosis,Scabies and Pityriasis versicolor (<2% each). Prevalence hada significant correlation with level of sanitation whereas notwith literacy of parents, socioeconomic status (Kuppuswamyscore) and type of school. Only one fourth of symptomaticchildren took treatment.Conclusion: High prevalence of skin disorders exists inschool-going children of Western India, especially noninfectious dermatosis. Rural residence and level of sanitationare significant attributes.