Dermatology survey in four villages in Iran

Summary Four villages in the Kavar area of Pars Province (Southern Iran) were visited and all the inhabitants examined for evidence of skin disease. Two of these villages had had some primary medical care given by paramedical helpers (village health workers) for the preceding 2 years and two were about to get the same care. The incidence of skin disease in all four villages was the same showing that the village health workers were not adequately trained in the recognition of skin diseases. The major problems were pediculosis capitis and corporis, pityriasis versicolor, eczema and skin tumours.