Assessing skin disease and associated health-related quality of life in a rural Lao community

Assessing skin disease and associated health-related quality of life in a rural Lao community

Skin diseases are common and often have an impact on an individual's health-related quality of life. In rural communities where access to healthcare may be limited and individuals rely on farming for food and income, the impact of skin diseases may be greater. The objectives for this study were...

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Published in:BMC dermatology Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 11
Main Authors: Wootton, C I, Bell, S, Philavanh, A, Phommachack, K, Soukavong, M, Kidoikhammouan, S, Walker, S L, Mayxay, M
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 04-12-2018
BioMed Central
Subjects:
Dermatitis
Dermatology
Eczema
Health aspects
Health care
Medicine
Population
Quality of life
Questionnaires
Risk factors
Rural areas
Skin
Skin diseases
Socioeconomic factors
Laos
United Kingdom > UK
United States > US
Tanzania
DLQI
Health related quality of life
Prevalence
Tinea
Cercarial dermatitis
Eczema
Scabies
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Summary:Skin diseases are common and often have an impact on an individual's health-related quality of life. In rural communities where access to healthcare may be limited and individuals rely on farming for food and income, the impact of skin diseases may be greater. The objectives for this study were to perform an assessment of skin disease prevalence in a rural village in Laos and assess the associated impact of any skin disease found using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). A rural village was purposively selected and 340 participants examined by dermatologists over a four day period. Brief questionnaires were performed, followed by full body skin examinations and DLQI questionnaires completed were relevant. The data were analysed using chi square and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. One hundred and eighty-one participants were found to have a skin disease (53%). The six most common skin diseases were: eczema (22%), dermatophyte infections (19%), acne (10%), scabies infestation (9%), melasma (8%) and pityriasis versicolor (4%). Just over half of those with skin disease (51%) completed the DLQI, with scores ranging from 0 to 24. Those with skin problems on examination were significantly more likely to be farmers, have had a previous skin problem, be older or live in a smaller family. Conclusions This study represents the first formal documentation of skin disease prevalence in Laos and establishes the high rate of skin disease in the rural community and the associated impact these diseases have on health-related quality of life.
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ISSN:1471-5945
1471-5945
DOI:10.1186/s12895-018-0079-8