Background: Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community. Methods: The design was cross sectional. 40 888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints. Results: 18770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries (5%) and the Indian Subcontinent (3%). Itch was the most prevalent reported skin symptom (7%), and was significantly more reported by men from East Asia (18%) and Middle East/North Africa (13%). The same observations were seen for reported dry and sore skin. Hair loss was a dominating complaint for men from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East/North Africa (23% and 25%) and for women from the same ethnic groups. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa reported significantly more pimples than in the other groups (17%). Conclusion: The study showed that there were significant differences in self-reported skin complaints among ethnic groups. Issues concerning the cultural value of some skin symptoms should be examined further. © 2007 Dalgard et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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urban population immigrant India Norway Caucasian demography sex ratio skin disease human sex difference middle aged Middle East statistics Ethnic Groups Self Report ethnic group controlled study health status Aged morbidity pruritus Skin Diseases ethnology decubitus Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans male female risk factor Africa questionnaire population research prevalence Article postal mail Questionnaires adult Africa, Northern migration major clinical study dry skin European Continental Ancestry Group Postal Service Sex Distribution Hypotrichosis hair loss Emigration and Immigration ethnicity acne