Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a Western community.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community.


METHODS
The design was cross sectional. 40,888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints.


RESULTS
18,770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries (5%) and the Indian Subcontinent (3%). Itch was the most prevalent reported skin symptom (7%), and was significantly more reported by men from East Asia (18%) and Middle East/North Africa (13%). The same observations were seen for reported dry and sore skin. Hair loss was a dominating complaint for men from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East/North Africa (23% and 25%) and for women from the same ethnic groups. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa reported significantly more pimples than in the other groups (17%).


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that there were significant differences in self-reported skin complaints among ethnic groups. Issues concerning the cultural value of some skin symptoms should be examined further.
Dalgard
Florence
F
Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. florence.dalgard@medisin.uio.no
Holm
Jan Øivind
JØ
Svensson
Ake
A
Kumar
Bernadette
B
Sundby
Johanne
J
D000328:Adult; D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007039:Hypotrichosis / Q000208:ethnology; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D009017:Morbidity; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011177:Postal Service; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000208:ethnology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data