Prevalence of Common Skin Diseases and Their Associated Factors Among Military Personnel in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

In a cross-sectional study of 1,321 Korean military personnel conducted between April and September 2010, it was found that 798 (60.4%) suffered from at least one skin disease. The most common conditions were acne (35.6%), tinea pedis (15.2%), and atopic dermatitis (5.1%). The study revealed that the prevalence of certain skin diseases was associated with the length of military service and that stress levels were linked to conditions such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne. The research highlighted the high prevalence of skin diseases in the military and their impact on quality of life, as measured by the Skindex-29 questionnaire. However, the results might not be generalizable to the broader population due to the exclusion of individuals with severe skin conditions that could exempt them from service. The study suggested that military authorities should take note of these findings and implement measures to manage skin diseases among personnel.