A population-based prevalence survey of skin diseases in adolescents and adults in rural Sumatra, Indonesia, 1999.
Skin disorders are one of the most common presenting health problems and pose a considerable public health problem in developing and developed countries. A population-based survey (n = 917) was conducted in October and November 1999 to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in 3 rural villages in Indonesia (Riau province, Sumatra). The overall individual response rate was 96%. Household interviews were conducted to obtain information on skin conditions, basic socio-demographic factors and lifestyle habits. Trained doctors performed a thorough clinical skin examination of each subject in the household. The overall prevalence of skin disease in the 3 villages was 28.2% (95% confidence intervals 24.6-31.8). The prevalence of fungal infections (12.0%) was twice as high as dermatitis (5.1%). As skin conditions are common in rural Indonesia, it is advisable to improve the training of nurses and doctors in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders.
Saw
S M
SM
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore (MD3), 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore.
Koh
D
D
Adjani
M R
MR
Wong
M L
ML
Hong
C Y
CY
Lee
J
J
Chia
S E
SE
Munoz
C P
CP
Ong
C N
CN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology