Skin diseases of children in Mali: a public health problem

Abstract

In order to estimate the importance as a public health problem of skin diseases, we investigated the prevalence and severity of skin diseases in a representative sample of children in Mali. 1817 children were randomly selected in 30 clusters by probability-proportional-to-size sampling in Koulikoro region. The mean prevalence (+/- 2 SD) of skin diseases was 34 +/- 4%. The most frequent dermatoses were pyoderma (12.3 +/- 1.6%), tinea capitis (9.5 +/- 2.5%), pediculosis capitis (4.7 +/- 1.4%), scabies (4.3 +/- 1.5%), and molluscum contagiosum (3.6 +/- 1%). The most troublesome dermatoses were scabies and severe pyoderma. Pyoderma was the only dermatosis associated with poor individual or household hygiene. Public health services were little used by the population for skin diseases, probably because of the lack of an adequate response by the services and the high cost of treatment. The high prevalence and the severity of many of the lesions, and the discomfort caused, make pyoderma and scabies a significant public health problem in Mali.

Percepção da doença e automedicação em pacientes com escabiose

“…Dermatologists, in general, did not consider scabicide soaps alone as appropriate treatment for scabies. [26][27][28] Thus, it is evident that the selected products used for self-medicated scabies are not adequate, as reported in 1995 by Mahe et al 29 Contrary to Heukelbach et al, who did not observe mystification or stigmatization in scabies patients in a slum, in Fortaleza, 2 this study shows a high frequency of negative feelings related to diagnosis of scabies. This stigmatization depends on the population's socioeconomic context, and was described in other studies.…”

Efficacy of neem seed extract shampoo on head lice of naturally infected humans in Egypt

“…Contrary to popular belief, pediculosis infests anyone regardless of race, economic status, family background or personal habits (Pan American Health Organisation (PAHG) 1973;Anonymous 1975;Mallis 1990), although prevalence in preschool and elementary-age children (3 to 10 years) is highest. For example, in Saudi Arabia, 9.6% (Bahamdan et al 1996) and in Mali 4.7% (Mahe et al 1995) of school children suffer from pediculosis. Females seem to be infested more often than males, probably due to more frequent head to head contact.…”

Prevalence of skin diseases and impact on quality of life in hilly region of Nepal

“…I n Africa, reported prevalence •gures vary between 11.7% in Bamako, Mali, to 48% in rural Ethiopia 7,8,9,10 . The published prevalence •gures in children are also high, 32% in Kenya 11 , 34% in Mali 12 , 31.3% in Hong Kong 13 and 38.8% in northern India 14 .…”