Prevalence and Determinants of Pityriasis Alba Among Elementary School Students in an Egyptian Village

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Pityriasis Alba (PA) and its determinant among the elementary school students.

Methods: A school-based cross sectional study was conducted during the scholastic year 2017-2018 on primary school students in one of the Egyptian villages. A self-reported questionnaire, history with clinical examination sheet and laboratory investigation sheet were used to collect data.

Results: The overall prevalence of PA accounted for 19.8%. Age of 10-11 years, sun exposure, personal history of atopy, past history and siblings history of PA and parasitic infestation were significant determinants of current lesions in children (P =0.04, 0.03, 0.046, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.011 respectively). Having past history of PA was the only single significant risk factor for the current lesions (P< 0.001, AOR= 6.99 and CI= 2.5-19.7).

Conclusions: PA affected nearly one fifth of elementary school students. Although, the 5th graders, sun exposure, personal history of atopy, past history of PA, siblings history of PA and parasitic infestation were significant determinants among school children, the past history of affection with PA was the only single significant risk factor for the current lesions. Health education on sound personal hygiene, balanced diet, clean environment, healthy living status is recommended.

Keywords: Pityriasis Alba; prevalence; determinants; elementary school; Egyptian village.