Risk Factors of Skin Diseases among School Children in South Eastern Communities in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Skin disorders frequently seen among primary school children are common causes of morbidity. Determining the risk factors of skin diseases, will enhance a better understanding of skin health and prevent skin diseases in school children. AIM: To determine the common risk factors of skin diseases among primary school children in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a 4-month period among pupils of public and private primary schools. Diagnosis of skin diseases was based on clinical findings as well as laboratory investigations where indicated. A pre-tested, self-administered, close ended questionnaire was used to ascertain the risk factors of skin diseases. RESULTS: Eight hundred and forty-seven (847) and seven hundred and thirteen (713) subjects were recruited from public and private schools respectively. Fifty-six percent of the subjects were males. The mean age of the study participants was 8.74 ± 2.08 years. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 40.2%. Using a multivariate logistic regression, gender, number of people per room, frequency of bathing per week and source of water were found to be significant risk factors for skin diseases. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors and living conditions are significant risk factors of skin diseases. Standard hygienic practices by school children and their parents/ caregivers will help to reduce the high prevalence of skin diseases in our environment.

CONTEXTE: Les troubles cutanés fréquemment observés chez les enfants des écoles primaires sont des causes courantes de morbidité. Déterminer les facteurs de risque des maladies de la peau, permettra de mieux meilleure compréhension de la santé de la peau et de prévenir les maladies les enfants scolarisés. OBJECTIF: Déterminer les facteurs de risque communs des maladies cutanées chez les élèves de l'école primaire de la zone de Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. MÉTHODES: Étude descriptive transversale menée pendant une période de 4 mois auprès d'élèves d'écoles primaires publiques et privées. Le diagnostic des maladies de la peau était fondé sur les cliniques ainsi que sur des examens de laboratoire, le cas échéant. Un questionnaire pré-testé, auto-administré et fermé a été utilisé pour déterminer les facteurs de risque des maladies de la peau a été utilisé pour déterminer les facteurs de risque des maladies de la peau. RÉSULTATS: Huit cent quarante-sept (847) et sept cent treize (713) personnes ont été recrutés respectivement dans des écoles publiques et privées respectivement. Cinquante-six pour cent des sujets étaient de sexe masculin. L'âge moyen des participants à l'étude était de 8,74 ± 2,08 ans. La prévalence globale des maladies de la peau était de 40,2 %. En utilisant une régression logistique multivariée, le sexe, le nombre de personnes par pièce, la fréquence des bains par semaine et la source d'eau se sont avérés être des facteurs de risque significatifs de maladies de la peau. CONCLUSION: Les facteurs sociodémographiques et les conditions de vie sont des facteurs de risque significatifs de maladies de la peau. Les pratiques hygiéniques normalisées des écoliers et de leurs parents ou parents/soignants contribueront à réduire la prévalence élevée des maladies de la peau dans notre environnement. MOTS CLÉS: Facteurs de risque, maladies de la peau, écoles, enfant.

Spectrum of skin disorders among primary school children in Umuahia, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Skin disorders among primary school children are common in many countries, with a variable spectrum. They can constitute major health problems, resulting in considerable discomfort, parental anxiety, and embarrassment to the child. Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of skin diseases among primary school children in the Umuahia South local government area. Subjects and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a 4-month period from December 2016 to March 2017 among school children consecutively recruited from their various primary schools. Result: A total of 1560 children aged 5 to 15 years with a mean age of 8.74 ± 2.079 years were studied. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 40.2%. The prevalence in public schools was 46.0%, whereas the prevalence in private schools was 33.2% (P < 0.001). Skin eruptions and itchy skin were the most common presentations, whereas tinea capitis, pityriasis versicolor, and scabies were the most common skin diseases noted among the school children. Conclusion: The prevalence of skin diseases in the population studied is high, especially in public schools. The most common manifestation of skin disease is rash, and the most common type of skin disease is tinea capitis. It is recommended that standard hygienic practices should be maintained by primary school children and their parents/caregivers to prevent skin diseases.

Remission and Relapses in Children with Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome in Umuahia, South East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome (SSNS) follows a relapsing and remitting course in many of the cases. Time for initial response to corticosteroids has been identified as a prognostic factor in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. OBJECTIVES: To determine the time to initial remission as well as the pattern of relapses among children with SSNS in Umuahia South East Nigeria. METHODS: Records of children with SSNS from July 2013 to June 2018 were reviewed for responses to corticosteroid and relapses in their first year. RESULTS: Twenty-four children with Idiopathic Nephrotic syndrome were followed up for one year. Male to female ratio was 3:1 of which fifteen (62.5%) responded to steroid and they were aged 2 to 9 years. Median time to remission was 14 days. Of the 15 steroid responsive patients, 11 (73.3%) were early responders while 4 (26.7%) were late responders. Six patients had at least one episode of relapse giving a relapse rate of 40.0%. Of these six, four (66.7%) were infrequent relapsers while 2 (33.3%) were frequent relapsers. Relapse rate was not significantly different across age groups (p = 0.622) and gender (p = 0.294). Presence of hypertension, haematuria and delayed time to remission did not significantly influence relapse. Acute respiratory infection was the most frequent trigger of relapse. CONCLUSION: More than two-thirds of children with NS in our centre experience early steroid response while less than one-third respond after 4 weeks of therapy. Less than half of the children experience a relapse in the first year of follow up.

Urinary tract infection in febrile under five children in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Fever is a common symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children less than 5 years of age. Little attention is however paid to UTI as a cause of fever in this age group. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to determine the prevalence of UTI in febrile children less than 5 years of age and relate it to demographic and clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urine specimen of febrile children aged 1-59 months obtained by suprapubic or midstream methods were analyzed using standard laboratory methods of microscopy, culture and sensitivity. RESULTS: A total of 200 children were enrolled; nearly 56% (112/200) were males. The mean age of the subjects was 31.14 ± 17.96 months. The prevalence of UTI was 11% and was significantly higher in females than in males ( P = 0.049). Children below 12 months of age had a higher rate of UTI than those 12 months and above ( P = 0.028). The common clinical features were vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary frequency and urgency but none had a significant association with UTI. CONCLUSION: UTI is common in febrile under-fives especially among females and infants. No association was apparent between the occurrence of UTI and clinical parameters.