Assessment of the Epidemiological Situation on the Dermatomycosis Incidence during Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relevance of the study of skin fungal diseases is due to their wide prevalence. Dermatomycosis affects more than 40% of the world’s population, while onychomycosis (tinea unguium), representing a global health problem, is about 18–40%. AIM: Assessment of the epidemiological situation on dermatomycosis incidence during the pandemic of coronavirus infection in the Karaganda region. MATERIALS AND RESEARCH METHODS: The study used statistical data for the period 2009-2020. RESULTS: Analysis of the long-term dynamics of dermatomycosis incidence for the period 2009-2020 revealed the uneven course of the epidemic process in the Karaganda region. The overall abundance of fungi that cause dermatomycosis prevails among the male population. The analysis of data by age showed that most often the incidence was registered among persons under the age of 35. Dermatomycosis was more often detected in adolescents and children under the age of 14 compared to adults. An analysis of risk factors for dermatomycosis development in the population showed that the incidence associated with fungal infection in 59.2% of cases was due to contact with animals. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of severe forms of dermatomycosis was in 1.4 times higher among the urban population than among rural residents. Men suffer from dermatomycosis 1.64 times more often than women. The factors influencing the spread of infectious dermatoses were noted. These were the climatic features of the central region of the republic, which contribute to the accumulation of the pathogen in the foci of infection, as well as untimely seeking medical help, self-treatment, low awareness of this pathology, in particular, and preventive measures.