Prevalence and associated factors of skin disease among school-age children of rural district of eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024

Abstract

Background Skin diseases are conditions that affect the skin. Skin diseases encompass various conditions, including infections, allergies, inflammatory disorders, and infestation. Skin diseases are a significant public health concern, particularly among school-age children, as they can cause discomfort, and social stigma, and influence overall well-being. There is limited research conducted specifically among school-age children, especially in the postwar period, hindering the understanding of the extent of the problem and the identification of potential contributing factors. In Ethiopia, a study conducted on primary schoolchildren shows that the prevalence of skin diseases was 61.2%. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was employed from September 10 to October 30, 2024, in selected schools of Eastern Tigray. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to choose Woredas and schools. Subsequently, 603 school-age children were recruited using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires and physical examination. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the strength of the association. Variables with a p-value <0.2 were selected for multivariable analysis, and a p-value <0.05 in the final model was considered statistically significant. Result The prevalence of skin disease among school-age children in the Rural District of the Eastern Zone was 411 (68.2%). Moreover, the factors associated with skin disease in this study were living in IDP (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.86–4.7), families with history of skin disease (AOR = 8.22; 95% CI: 5.19–13), sharing personal items (AOR = 3.89; 95% CI: 2.11–7.17), children who sometimes wash their hands before meals (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 0.99–3.89), and children who never wash their hands regularly (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI: 2.66–9.11). Conclusion The prevalence of skin disease among school-age children was high. Proper hand hygiene, not sharing personal items, and treating family members with skin diseases can help decrease the prevalence of skin diseases.