Skin diseases in children in rural Kenya: long-term results of a dermatology project within the primary health care system.

Background: Following an epidemiological study on skin diseases in 5780 pupils from 13 schools in rural western Kenya in 1993, a dermatology project within the primary health care system was established in 1994 by the German non-government organization (NGO) 'Doctors in Aid of Children with Skin Diseases in Africa'. Within this project trained community health workers carried out regular visits to schools and nurseries and treated children with hydrocortisone acetate 1% cream for dermatitis, gentian violet 1% solution for bacterial skin infections, Whitfield's ointment for dermatophytoses and benzylbenzoate emulsion 25% for scabies.

Objectives: To assess the impact of this intervention.

[Dermatology in the primary health care system. Long-term outcome of a self-help project with children in rural Kenya].

Background And Objective: In spite of the importance of skin diseases in Africa south of the Sahara, dermatology is insufficiently represented within the established primary health care systems. Aim of this study was to find out whether an integrated dermatology project could reduce the prevalence of dermatoses.

Patients/methods: Since 1994 trained community health workers have carried out regular weekly visits to schools and nurseries in 10 communities in rural western Kenya.

Dermatophytomycoses in children in rural Kenya: the impact of primary health care.

In a survey of 5780 children from 13 schools in rural Kisumu District (western Kenya) in 1993, a prevalence rate of dermatophytomycoses of 10.1% was found. Three-quarters of the affected children suffered from tinea capitis (prevalence rate 7.