Patterns of Skin Disease among Prisoners in Central Prison in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Skin diseases pose a significant health challenge globally, especially within prison settings where overcrowding and inadequate sanitation create a breeding ground for infections. Prisons, as part of society, exist in a dynamic equilibrium, serving as potential sources of infections that can spread beyond their confines. Despite facing similar challenges, there is a dearth of research focusing on skin diseases among inmates in Nepal. This study aims to assess patterns of skin diseases among prisoners. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study at the central prison, Kathmandu from December 2023 to March 2024. All patients with skin disease visiting the consultant Dermatologist and giving consent were included in this study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analysis was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Data were presented in the form of frequency and percentage. RESULTS: A total of 253 patients visited the consultant Dermatologist for skin conditions. Out of which, eczema was 67 (26.50%), fungal infections 57 (22.50%), and bacterial infections 51 (20.10%). The mean age of the respondents was 34.21±12 years. CONCLUSIONS: The fungal and bacterial infections were common among the prisoners.

Knowledge, practice, and infection status of prisoners toward dermatomycosis: a study in Nepal.

Background: Dermatophytosis, commonly known as tinea, poses a significant public health concern worldwide, especially in environments with poor hygiene and overcrowding, such as prisons. Despite its prevalence and impact on quality of life, there is a lack of research on the knowledge and hygiene practices regarding dermatophytosis among prisoners, particularly in Nepal. Objective: The study aimed to assess prisoners' knowledge, hygiene practice and infection status regarding dermatophytosis in Central Prison, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 184 respondents was designed to collect data using a validated pre-tested questionnaire from September 2023 to January 2024. The collected data was then analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Knowledge and hygiene practices were measured on an eight and 11-point scale and rated as poor (≤4) and sound (>4), bad (≤6), and good (>6), respectively. Summary data were presented by descriptive, while Chi-square and logistic regression were used for inferential statistics at p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed moderate knowledge among prisoners regarding dermatophytosis, with significant gaps in understanding its spread and prevention. While most prisoners recognized the importance of treatment, there were misconceptions about the inevitability of contracting dermatophytosis and the role of personal hygiene. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge levels, adherence to recommended hygiene practices was suboptimal, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The study underscores the importance of addressing knowledge gaps, changing attitudes, and promoting hygienic practices to mitigate the burden of dermatophytosis among prisoners.