Skin diseases of children in Mali: a public health problem

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Skin diseases represent a considerable public health challenge globally.
• Understanding the epidemiology of skin conditions in children is crucial for effective health interventions.
• Mali, like many sub-Saharan African nations, faces unique healthcare access and disease burden issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence and severity of skin diseases in a representative sample of Malian children.
• To identify the most common and most troublesome dermatoses affecting children in the Koulikoro region.
• To assess the utilization of public health services for skin conditions and identify barriers to care.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Koulikoro region of Mali.
• A representative sample of 1817 children was selected using probability-proportional-to-size cluster sampling.
• Data on skin disease prevalence, type, severity, and healthcare seeking behavior were collected.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 34% (+/- 4%).
• The most frequent conditions included pyoderma (12.3%), tinea capitis (9.5%), pediculosis capitis (4.7%), scabies (4.3%), and molluscum contagiosum (3.6%).
• Scabies and severe pyoderma were identified as the most troublesome dermatoses, with pyoderma linked to poor hygiene. Public health services were underutilized due to inadequate response and high treatment costs.

Conclusions:

• Pyoderma and scabies constitute a significant public health problem in Mali due to their high prevalence, severity, and impact on children's well-being.
• The findings underscore the need for improved public health services and accessible, affordable treatments for pediatric skin diseases in the region.
• Addressing hygiene-related factors and enhancing healthcare system responsiveness are critical for managing these prevalent dermatological conditions.