eISSN 1307-394X Research An Investigation on the Prevalence of Different Foot Skin Diseases and Their Risk Factors Among University Students Yeşim Kaymak,1* MD, Ercan Göçgeldi,2 MD, Işıl Şimşek,3 MD Address: 1Dermatologist, Gazi University, Medical Health Center, Ankara, Turkey; 2Assistant Professor, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Turkey; 3Professor, Gazi University, Vocational Educa- tion Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail:
[email protected] * Corresponding author: Yeşim Kaymak, MD, Hoşdere Cad. Şair Baki Sok. 2/5 Yukarı Ayrancı, Ankara 06540 Turkey Published: J Turk Acad Dermatol 2007;1 (2): 71202a This article is available from: http://www.jtad.org/2007/2/jtad71202a.pdf Key Words: Skin diseases, foot health, university students Abstract Objectives: Skin diseases seen on the feet increase in the university environment due to factors such as shared living conditions, failing to provide adequate hygiene, lower economic status, length of daily walking and wearing shoes continuously. Our aim in this study was to determine the skin dis- eases seen on the feet of university students, to specify the students' knowledge, attitudes and be- haviors regarding foot health and foot care, and to reveal the risk factors playing a role in the de- velopment of these diseases. Methods: A total of 302 university students who consulted the dermatology specialist in the Medico– Social Health Center due to any disease on their feet and agreed to participate in the research were included in the study. Subjects were requested to respond to a questionnaire. Results: The most common foot diseases of the participants were tinea pedis (24.8%), sweaty feet (24.2%), and foot callosities (23.2%).