Atopic eczema in school children

Abstract

Abstract: Information on Atopic eczema is sparse in Ethiopia.  This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of eczema among school children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1995. A standardized self-administered questionnaire developed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) was used.   A total of 2951 children (52.8% were females) participated in the study.  A 29.2% of Iife time experience of recurrent itchy rash and 22.1 % of 12 months prevalence of rash was reported by the children.  However, only 11.2% of the children reported having eczema.  Sleep disturbing rash, a sign of severe eczema, was reported by 2.6% of children.  By using a simple standardized questionnaire, an internationally comparable local data was generated by this study.  However, further studies with a more objective diagnostic criteria which includes skin prick test is recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2000;14(1):105-108