Prevalence and determinants of eczema among females aged 21 to 32 years in Jeddah city – Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic an inflammatory skin disease with early onset and with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 20%. Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is not completely understood, it appears to result from the complex interplay between defects in skin barrier function, environmental and infectious agents, and immune abnormalities. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of Eczema among Saudi female aged 21 to 32 years old in Jeddah city. Methods: A cross sectional study involved 190 female students from IbnSina National College for Allied Health Sciences in Jeddah city were chosen by convenient sampling. Data were collected by Interview questionnaire (ISAAC: Core Questionnaire for Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema) after getting their consent. SPSS used for data entry and analysis. Results: Prevalence of eczema among medical college females was 16.6%, Eczema was similar in Saudi and Non-Saudi females (13.97% and 12.66% respectively, P = 0.545). Eczema was associated with eye allergy (34.2%) with statistical significance P = 0.003. Eczema was associated family members history with statistical significance P = 0.012. There was not statistical significant relationship between eczema and education level, parental jobs, drugs chest and nose allergy. Conclusion: Prevalence of eczema among female medical students was 16.6%. Eczema was significantly associated with eye allergy and Family history of skin allergy was risk factor of eczema