title: Skin disorders among male primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia: prevalence and socio-demographic correlates--a comparison of urban and rural populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin diseases are common among school children worldwide. However, limited information is available about the socioeconomic correlates that contribute to their development among school children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to identify the prevalent transmissible and non-transmissible skin disorders among male primary school children in Al Hassa, KSA, and to detect possible socio-demographic correlates implicated in their development.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study a total of 1337 male primary school children were selected from urban and rural schools in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia by a multistage sampling method. Socio-demographic and housing conditions data were collected through a self-administered parents'/guardians' questionnaire. A personal interview with the child established personal hygiene habits; this was followed by clinical dermatological screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of transmissible skin disorders was 27.2% (CI=24.8-29.6); solitary transmissible skin disorders were diagnosed in 7.8%, while 19.4% had multiple disorders. Common dermatoses identified included superficial infections (fungal, bacterial and viral), eczematous dermatosis, and infestations (scabies/pediculosis). Logistic regression revealed that large family size was a positive predictor for pediculosis and fungal infections, and rural residence was a positive predictor for pediculosis; however, higher maternal educational status might be protective against the development of both lesions. Frequent showering and high family income were both negative predictors for the development of infectious (transmissible) dermatoses. The prevalence of transmissible dermatoses was higher in rural compared with urban school children, while the prevalence of most non-transmissible dermatoses did not show a significant difference between urban and rural populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both transmissible and non-transmissible skin disorders were frequently encountered among male primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Both socio-demographic and hygiene correlates play a significant role in the development of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. amin55@myway.com
authors.forename: Tarek T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Althaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Feroze
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaliyadan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*