Incidence of skin diseases in soldiers of the earthquake-rescue troops and its influencing factors / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the incidence and major risk factors of skin diseases in soldiers of the earthquake-rescue troops in Yingxiu Town, and to evaluate the disinsection outcome in the camps. Methods: Two rescue teams were taken as subjects in this study. The incidence of skin diseases, hygiene status in the tents, and disinsection measures within 1 month after Wenchuan Earthquake were retrospectively studied from June 15 to June 20, 2008. Chi-square test was used to determine significance of difference. Results: The incidence of skin diseases was 42. 20% in the rescue troops during the 1st month after the earthquake,with insect bite dermatitis and hair follicle dermatitis accounting for 82. 05% and 15. 38%, respectively. The incidences of skin diseases during the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week after the earthquake were significantly higher than that before the earthquake (P<0. 05); the high incidence during the 4th week was associated with sleeping in the mountainous areas. Disinsection of the tents with 2.0% deltamethrin decreased the incidence of skin disease from 26.61% during the 2nd week to 0.92% during the 3rd week. Conclusion: The incidence of skin disease is obviously increased in the earthquake rescue troops; the major reasons are the poor hygiene condition and bites by the mosquitoes and insects. Regular disinsection can effectively decrease the incidence of skin diseases.