Prevalence of Tinea Pedis in Korean Soldiers in a Battalion / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It has been widely accepted that the prevalence of tinea pedis in soldiers may be higher due to their occlusive army boots and communal baths. OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to investigate the prevalence of tinea pedis in Korean soldiers monthly throughout the year by the ranks of the soldiers and also to verify whether tinea pedis is one of the occupational diseases in Korean soldiers. METHODS: We examined the feet of soldiers in a battalion monthly throughout the year. On those with suspected skin lesions, microscopic examinations along with fungus cultures were performed in July, 1996. RESULTS: Average prevalence of tinea pedis throughout the year was 51.5% on clinical examination. The highest prevalence was 74.0% in August and the lowest in February by 36.7% . The prevalence of tinea pedis by rank was 38.3%(18/47) in the new private group, 61.7%(29/47) in the private group, 84.8%(67/79) in the private 1st class group, 72.4%(55/76) in the corporal group and 70.9%(39/55) in the sergeant group in July, 1996. Dermatophytes were demonstrated microscopically in 59.1%(123/208) of the specimens examined. Cultures were positive in 93 cases, i.e., from 44.7% of those examined. CONCLUSION: The major factor contributing to the highest prevalence of tinea pedis in August among the months of the year seems to be the hot and damp weather conditions(especially in July and August). Considering the fact that the prevalence of tinea pedis in winter season was also higher by 36.7-40.2%, Korean soldiers seem to possess higher risk of tinea pedis due to their tight-fitting army boots. The spread of infection among non-infected soldiers might have resulted from the communal bath and Korean traditional habit of taking-off their shoes in a large dormitory where they sleep together. Moreover, the fact that the prevalence of tinea pedis increases markedly with their ranks suggests that tinea pedis should be considered as an occupational disease among Korean soldiers.