title: Health profile of highland Ethiopians in a small town in the south-western part of the country.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In conjunction with an investigation of nerve function tests of highland Ethiopians in an area of low endemicity of leprosy for 25-30 years, a comprehensive health survey was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed 236 subjects, 118 females and 118 males, 177 students and 59 adults (Others) aged 10-75 years from Chencha woreda. We used a detailed medical, personal and social history, anthropomorphic measurements and complete physical examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified six areas of medical concern: Intestinal parasite and diarrhoeal diseases affected 62%, despite treatment of all students and symptomatic adults the recurrence rate was high; skin diseases/conditions affected 88%; eye injections affected 26%; dental decay affected 33%; 20% had hypertension 14% requiring treatment; 11% gave a personal and/or family history of tuberculosis, 44% gave a history of BCG immunisation, while 34% had BCG scars, the lowest percentage (11%) being in students from Daramallo woreda.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplies of clean water, effective disposal of human excreta and control of flies would greatly reduce intestinal, skin and eye infections. Regular tooth cleaning and possibly fluoridation of drinking water should improve dental health, with diet and exercise for young hypertensives. BCG immunisation in Chencha and Daramallo woredas (inaccessible areas) needs urgent attention.
authors: Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors: M Elizabeth
authors: ME
authors: Duncan
authors: Stig
authors: S
authors: Hansen
authors: Assefa
authors: A
authors: Zeleke
authors: Abebe
authors: A
authors: Solomon
authors: Terefe
authors: T
authors: Tadesse
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Bezuneh
authors: Mohammed A
authors: MA
authors: Yassin
authors: Mesfin
authors: M
authors: Hunegnaw
authors: Abraham
authors: A
authors: Aseffa
authors: Wondu
authors: W
authors: Wagaye
authors: Hiwot
authors: H
authors: Tilahun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged