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Assessing skin disease and associated health-related quality of life in a rural Lao community.
- Source :
-
BMC dermatology [BMC Dermatol] 2018 Dec 04; Vol. 18 (1), pp. 11. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Dec 04. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Background: Skin diseases are common and often have an impact on an individual's health-related quality of life. In rural communities where access to healthcare may be limited and individuals rely on farming for food and income, the impact of skin diseases may be greater. The objectives for this study were to perform an assessment of skin disease prevalence in a rural village in Laos and assess the associated impact of any skin disease found using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).<br />Methods: A rural village was purposively selected and 340 participants examined by dermatologists over a four day period. Brief questionnaires were performed, followed by full body skin examinations and DLQI questionnaires completed were relevant. The data were analysed using chi square and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.<br />Results: One hundred and eighty-one participants were found to have a skin disease (53%). The six most common skin diseases were: eczema (22%), dermatophyte infections (19%), acne (10%), scabies infestation (9%), melasma (8%) and pityriasis versicolor (4%). Just over half of those with skin disease (51%) completed the DLQI, with scores ranging from 0 to 24. Those with skin problems on examination were significantly more likely to be farmers, have had a previous skin problem, be older or live in a smaller family. Conclusions This study represents the first formal documentation of skin disease prevalence in Laos and establishes the high rate of skin disease in the rural community and the associated impact these diseases have on health-related quality of life.
- Subjects :
- Acne Vulgaris epidemiology
Acne Vulgaris psychology
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bullying
Child
Child, Preschool
Dermatomycoses epidemiology
Dermatomycoses psychology
Eczema epidemiology
Eczema psychology
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Infant
Laos
Male
Melanosis epidemiology
Melanosis psychology
Middle Aged
Neurodermatitis epidemiology
Neurodermatitis psychology
Pain
Prevalence
Pruritus
Scabies epidemiology
Scabies psychology
Skin Diseases psychology
Social Participation
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tinea Versicolor epidemiology
Tinea Versicolor psychology
Young Adult
Health Status
Quality of Life
Rural Population statistics & numerical data
Skin Diseases epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-5945
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC dermatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30509232
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12895-018-0079-8