Prevalence of skin disease among school children and adolescents in a Student Health Service Center in Hong Kong.

ABSTRACT

We document the prevalence and the pattern of dermatologic diseases among primary and secondary school students visiting a Student Health Service Center in Hong Kong. In this study, the differences in prevalence of skin diseases between these two groups are pointed out. A total of 1006 students from both primary (n = 559) and secondary schools (n = 447) were seen in a regional, population-based screening center during the period from October 1996 to September 1997. Each student was asked to answer a simple questionnaire to identify any skin problems and to explore health-seeking behavior. Students were then examined for evidence of skin disease. A total of 314 students (31.3%) had one or more skin disorders, the most common of which were acne vulgaris (9.9%), eczema (6.8%), café au lait spots (4.4%), congenital melanocytic nevus (3.6%), superficial fungal infections (2.2%), keratosis pilaris (1.3%), and pityriasis alba (1.0%), which represented 93% of the skin disorders encountered. Acne vulgaris and tinea cruris were distinctly more common in secondary school students, while atopic eczema and congenital melanocytic nevi were more commonly found in primary school students. Among the 314 students with skin disease, 129 (41%) had symptoms while 185 (59%) did not. Ninety of the 129 students (70%) with symptomatic skin problems did not seek medical attention. The two predominant skin diseases, acne vulgaris and endogenous eczema, both chronic skin problems, incur not only morbidity in affected individuals and families, but also use considerable resources in the community. The lack of medical intervention reported by symptomatic students in this study was unexpectedly high. Therefore it is useful to monitor the epidemiology of skin problems in children so that relevant skin health education programs and preventive measures can be planned and implemented effectively.