BACKGROUND: Skin infections are a common public health problem in developing countries; however, they are rarely managed using a population based approach. Recent data on the burden of skin infections in Timor-Leste are limited. Our survey appears to be the only widespread survey conducted in more than 30 years and was designed to determine the baseline prevalence of some common skin infections in Timor-Leste. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional survey in 14 sites including community health clinics, schools and hospitals within four different geographical regions. Participants were examined for five conditions (scabies, pyoderma, fungal infections, leprosy and yaws) by a multidisciplinary team. Analyses were conducted using EpiInfo version 6.04d. RESULTS: We examined the skin of 1535 participants aged between four months and 97 years. The majority of participants were male, aged between 11 and 20 years and had at least one condition of interest (56.0%, 56.0%, and 63.1%, respectively). Fungal infections were the most common presentation (39.0%) and males were more commonly affected than females (42.3% vs 34.0%, respectively, pvalue < 0.0001).Among those people with more than one condition the two most common co-infections were scabies with either pyoderma or a fungal infection (38.0% and 32.0%, respectively). The survey identified 29 previously undiagnosed cases of leprosy and six cases of yaws. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the need for a comprehensive programme to address these conditions. There are successful disease control programmes in place within the country and it is hoped a healthy skin programme could be integrated into an established disease control programme in order to maximise health benefits and resources.
BACKGROUND:Skin infections are a common public health problem in developing countries; however, they are rarely managed using a population based approach. Recent data on the burden of skin infections in Timor-Leste are limited. Our survey appears to be the only widespread survey conducted in more than 30 years and was designed to determine the baseline prevalence of some common skin infections in Timor-Leste. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional survey in 14 sites including community health clinics, schools and hospitals within four different geographical regions. Participants were examined for five conditions (scabies, pyoderma, fungal infections, leprosy and yaws) by a multidisciplinary team. Analyses were conducted using EpiInfo version 6.04d. RESULTS: We examined the skin of 1535 participants aged between four months and 97 years. The majority of participants were male, aged between 11 and 20 years and had at least one condition of interest (56.0%, 56.0%, and 63.1%, respectively). Fungal infections were the most common presentation (39.0%) and males were more commonly affected than females (42.3% vs 34.0%, respectively, pvalue < 0.0001).Among those people with more than one condition the two most common co-infections were scabies with either pyoderma or a fungal infection (38.0% and 32.0%, respectively). The survey identified 29 previously undiagnosed cases of leprosy and six cases of yaws. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the need for a comprehensive programme to address these conditions. There are successful disease control programmes in place within the country and it is hoped a healthy skin programme could be integrated into an established disease control programme in order to maximise health benefits and resources.
Authors: B Chevalier; T Carmoi; E Sagui; P Carrette; D Petit; P De Mauleon; M Pourriere; C Martinie; C Didier Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2000-05 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek; Earnest Njih Tabah; Emmanuel Kouotou; Victor Sini; Faustin N Yepnjio; Rogers Nditanchou; Roland N Nchufor; Defo Defo; Fidèle Dema; Julius Y Fonsah; Alfred K Njamnshi; Walinjom F T Muna Journal: BMC Dermatol Date: 2012-06-21
Authors: Asha C Bowen; Antoine Mahé; Roderick J Hay; Ross M Andrews; Andrew C Steer; Steven Y C Tong; Jonathan R Carapetis Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-08-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Karin Haar; Lucia Romani; Raikanikoda Filimone; Kamal Kishore; Meciusela Tuicakau; Josefa Koroivueta; John M Kaldor; Handan Wand; Andrew Steer; Margot Whitfeld Journal: Int J Dermatol Date: 2013-10-29 Impact factor: 2.736
Authors: Sang-Ha Kim; Seung-Hak Cho; Seung-Ki Youn; Je-Seop Park; Jong Tae Choi; Young-Seok Bak; Young-Bin Yu; Young Kwon Kim Journal: Osong Public Health Res Perspect Date: 2015-11-10
Authors: Daniel S Mason; Michael Marks; Oliver Sokana; Anthony W Solomon; David C Mabey; Lucia Romani; John Kaldor; Andrew C Steer; Daniel Engelman Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2016-06-27