GD09 Prevalence of skin diseases in a tribal area of Odisha, India: a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis

Abstract

Dermatological conditions account for a substantial proportion of primary care consultations. Patterns of skin morbidity are influenced by geographical location, climate and socioeconomic factors, as well as age, sex, nutrition and genetics. In rural Eastern India, access to specialist skincare is scarce. There is currently a lack of data on the patterns of dermatoses in these areas where indigenous people live. This study aimed to identify the profile of, and determine the risk factors for, skin diseases among patients attending a remote nongovernmental primary care health centre in the predominantly tribal Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district, Odisha. Medical records of all patients presenting with a skin-related condition between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Date of presentation, age, sex, body mass index, caste and diagnoses were tabulated. Dermatological conditions were categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. Diagnosis was made according to clinical findings and, where required, basic laboratory investigations. Over the 12-month period, 1396 consultations were for skin disease presentations. There were a total of 1272 patients, of whom 56.8% were male and 43.2% were female. Patients were aged between 1 month and 82 years. Adults (≥ 18 years) constituted 55% of those included. The most frequently encountered diseases were infections and infestations (71.6%), including scabies (26.3%), fungal infections (25.2%) and bacterial infections (17.6%). Cutaneous tuberculosis and leprosy represented 1.1% and 1.0% of total presentations, respectively. Inflammatory conditions, such as dermatitis (12.4%) and urticaria (4.7%), were also relatively common. These findings provide a valuable indicator for community health and could help inform public health policies for preventative and therapeutic strategies. The results could also guide training and education priorities for local frontline healthcare workers to be able to diagnose and manage these prevalent skin conditions.