16235 An investigation of prevalence, risk factors, and health services utilization for onychomycosis in South Korea fishing villages

Abstract

There have been many studies about onychomycosis (OM) with various populations. However, no study was conducted on people living in fishing villages who seem to be susceptible to OM. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factor of OM in population in fishing villages in South Korea. Subjects who lived in three different fishing village in Geoje island located off the southern coast of South Korea were included in this study. Inspection was performed and mycologic examination was done for those with clinically diagnosed OM. Questionnaires regarding type of occlusive wear, hygiene habits, treatment history were surveyed. Among 94 subjects enrolled, 64 (68.1%) were diagnosed as OM with inspection and causative organisms were identified in 47. Among clinically diagnosed OM, DLSO was the most common clinical type (70.3%), followed by TDO (25%). The first finger and toenail were the most common, and more than 5 nails were involved more than half of them. Trichophyton rubrum was identified the most commonly. Wearing rubber boots was significantly related to OM (P = .019). Among patients who experienced OM treatment, most of them answered ineffectiveness and indifference. Many of them had tried to cure only with conventional topical agents. The prevalence and severity of onychomycosis in fishing villages were high. Wearing occlusive footwear may be one of the risk factors. Insufficient way of treatment and unawareness hindered them to be cured. Therefore, proper education and medical service for onychomycosis should be provided in association with specific occupational background.