TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring ethnic disparities in pediatric molluscum contagiosum in Southern Israel
AU - Andre, Nicolas
AU - Jurban, Eman
AU - Alyagon, Adva
AU - Moscovici, Khen
AU - Horev, Amir
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12/1
Y1 - 2024/12/1
N2 - Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection affecting children globally, including in Israel, which has a diverse population comprising mainly Jews (73.2%) and Arabs (21.1%). Despite documented disparities in various diseases between these groups, research on differences in dermatological care is scarce. This study aimed to investigate MC as a potential differentiator between Arab and Jewish children. A retrospective analysis of MC cases among children (0–18 years) from 2013 to 2022 was performed at Soroka University Medical Center, a tertiary hospital serving over a million patients. 615 patients participated in our study, with 95.2% Jewish and 4.8% Arab. Both groups showed similar characteristics in lesion quantity (P = 0.535), diameter (P = 0.341), inflammation markers, and lesion location. Additionally, management, treatment response, and outcomes were found to be similar between the two groups. In conclusion, the Arab representation in the study was disproportionately low compared to their population in the area. While Jewish patients may rely more on medical specialists, we believe Arabs may prefer self-management practices, such as the use of traditional medicine, possibly hindering effective physician-led care. Understanding such disparities could improve dermatological care by tailoring approaches to diverse populations.
AB - Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection affecting children globally, including in Israel, which has a diverse population comprising mainly Jews (73.2%) and Arabs (21.1%). Despite documented disparities in various diseases between these groups, research on differences in dermatological care is scarce. This study aimed to investigate MC as a potential differentiator between Arab and Jewish children. A retrospective analysis of MC cases among children (0–18 years) from 2013 to 2022 was performed at Soroka University Medical Center, a tertiary hospital serving over a million patients. 615 patients participated in our study, with 95.2% Jewish and 4.8% Arab. Both groups showed similar characteristics in lesion quantity (P = 0.535), diameter (P = 0.341), inflammation markers, and lesion location. Additionally, management, treatment response, and outcomes were found to be similar between the two groups. In conclusion, the Arab representation in the study was disproportionately low compared to their population in the area. While Jewish patients may rely more on medical specialists, we believe Arabs may prefer self-management practices, such as the use of traditional medicine, possibly hindering effective physician-led care. Understanding such disparities could improve dermatological care by tailoring approaches to diverse populations.
KW - Delivery of health care
KW - Dermatology
KW - Global health
KW - Molluscum contagiosum
KW - Traditional medicine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203452767&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-024-72332-z
DO - 10.1038/s41598-024-72332-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 39256603
AN - SCOPUS:85203452767
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 14
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
IS - 1
M1 - 21139
ER -