Socio-Epidemiological Study of Infectious Skin Diseases among School Children in Heet District, Iraq

Abstract

Background: The “skin diseases” are transmissible in the developing world, especially the school students.
Aim: To shed light the prevalence of “infectious skin diseases” among school children in Heet District and
the possible correlated of different socio-demographic factors.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from the October 2018 to December 2019 on
schools children in Heet District, Alanbar Governorate, Iraq to explore the prevalence of “infectious skin
diseases” and its relationship with different socio-demographic variables. A total of 2971 school children
were incorporated into this study. There were 1446 females and 1525 males. The pupils living in urban areas
were 1453 while those living in rural areas were 1518. The full dermatological examination was done, for
the existence of any infectious skin disease.
Results: The prevalence rate of transmissible skin diseases was 30.6%. It is significantly higher among male
pupils (21.9%); between 12-14 years (20.3%); rural residence(27.1%); pupils of primary schools (25.4%);
low economic status in 20%; crowding index 3 in (24%); primary educational level of a father (31.1%) and
mother (23%) of pupils. The viral infections (16.7%) are the more prevalent, followed by bacterial (13.4%),
fungal (2.2%) and parasitic skin infections (1.9%).
Conclusions: Infection of the skin is very common in children. The viral one is more prevalent. The rural
area, crowding houses, low economic status and the parent’s educational level were significantly associated
with the prevalence of “infectious skin diseases”.