Prevalence of skin disorders in school children in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Physiological and structural changes of the pilosebaceous unit occur typically in adolescence leading to increase in sebaceous and apocrine secretions. Common disorders in this age group usually include acne vulgaris and infections with yeast organisms especially in a tropical climate. It has been suggested that some disorders are more prevalent in adolescents in the western world when compared to the developing ones. We looked at the prevalence of skin disorders in secondary school children in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. After obtaining relevant bio-data, students were examined for the presence of skin disorders. A total of 1,415 students were interviewed and examined. There age range was 10-20 years. There were 725 (51.2%) males. Skin disorders seen were acne vulgaris 502 (35.5%), pityriasis versicolor 321 (22%) and papular urticaria 120 (8.5%) and seborreheic dermatitis 3.5%. Thirty six of the students (2.5%) which were mainly female students had developed side effects from the use of skin lightening agents. Peri-ocular hyper pigmentation and palmoplantar hyper pigmentation were found in 21 (1.5%) and 2 (0.1%) of the students respectively. Pyoderma, ringworm infection and scabies accounted for 0.6%. 1.0% and 1.1% of diseases respectively. We concluded that acne vulgaris and pityriasis versicolor were the commonest skin disorders in adolescents in our environment. Complications from the use of skin lightening agents were seen in a few students.