Premium
Skin diseases in Nigeria: the Calabar experience
Author(s) -
Henshaw Eshan B.,
Olasode Olayinka A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.12752
Subject(s) - medicine , medical diagnosis , acne , capital city , dermatology , radiological weapon , pediatrics , socioeconomic status , surgery , pathology , environmental health , population , economic geography , economics
Background This paper reports on a 6‐year study (April 2006 to April 2012) and a follow‐up of a 9‐month baseline survey of the pattern of dermatoses in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in southern Nigeria. Prior to the time of this study, this region had not benefited from the services of a resident dermatologist for over a century. Methods Data on the age, gender, and diagnoses of 1307 consecutive new patients attending the relatively new dermatology clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital during the study period were obtained and analyzed. Most diagnoses were based on clinical findings but were supported by relevant laboratory investigations and histopathologic examinations when necessary. Results The male : female ratio of patients was 1 : 1.5. The mean ± standard deviation age of the patients was 27.7 ± 17.2 years (range: 4 weeks to 84 years). A total of 1459 diagnoses were recorded; 143 patients had more than one dermatosis. Diagnoses were broadly divided into 10 groups. Allergic/hypersensitivity diseases represented the most common group (30.4%), followed by infections/infestations (28.9%). A comparison of this study with others from various geopolitical zones of Nigeria revealed some similarities. Dermatophytosis and acne were consistent reasons for visits to dermatologists in all zones. Conclusions Despite the wide spectrum of dermatoses observed, a small number of diseases account for a sizeable percentage of diagnoses. The pattern of dermatoses in Calabar is similar to that in other parts of the country. Climate and socioeconomic factors are synergistic in causing dermatoses that remain a major cause of morbidity in all age groups and both genders across Nigeria.