Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with self-medication in dermatology in Lomé, Togo. Methods We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study from February to April 2016 in 2 dermatology departments in Lomé. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out to identify possible factors associated with self-medication. Results A total of 711 patients were included in the study. The mean age (±SD) of the patients was 26.6 ± 6.9 years and the sex ratio (male/female) was 0.6. The main dermatologic diseases recorded were immunoallergic dermatoses (39.7%) and infectious skin diseases (22.6%). Two-thirds (481/711; 66.7%) of the patients had practiced self-medication before consultation in dermatology units. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with self-medication were female sex (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI = [1.01, 2.05]), duration of dermatologic disease more than one year (aOR = 1.79; IC = [1.19, 2.68]), adnexal dermatoses (aOR = 2.31; 95% IC = [1.03–5.21]), keratinization disorders (aOR = 4.23; 95% CI = [1.36–13.13]), and fungal skin infections (aOR = 5.43; 95% CI = [2.20, 13.38]). Conclusion Our study confirms that self-medication practice is very common among patients with dermatologic diseases in Lomé and has identified associated factors.

Background The first International Society of Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD) global meeting dedicated to atopic dermatitis (AD) in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) was held in Geneva, Switzerland in April 2019. A total of 30 participants were present at the meeting, including those from 17 SSA countries, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD) (a committee of the International League of Dermatological Societies, ILDS http://www.ilds.org), the Fondation pour la Dermatite Atopique, as well as specialists in telemedicine, artificial intelligence and therapeutic patient education (TPE). Results AD is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin diseases in SSA. Besides neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with a dermatological presentation, AD requires closer attention from the WHO and national Departments of Health. Conclusions A roadmap has been defined with top priorities such as access to essential medicines and devices for AD care, in particular emollients, better education of primary healthcare workers for adequate triage (e.g. better educational materials for skin diseases in pigmented skin generally and AD in particular, especially targeted to Africa), involvement of traditional healers and to a certain extent also patient education, bearing in mind the barriers to effective healthcare faced in SSA countries such as travel distances to health facilities, limited resources and the lack of dermatological expertise. In addition, several initiatives concerning AD research in SSA were discussed and should be implemented in close collaboration with the WHO and assessed at follow‐up meetings, in particular, at the next ISAD meeting in Seoul, South Korea and African Society of Dermatology and Venereology (ASDV) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, both in 2020.

BackgroundAcne is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous follicle that mainly affects adolescents and young adults. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with acne, and to determine the correlation between the QOL and the severity of acne, in Lomé (Togo).MethodFrom July 2017 to February 2018, we conducted a study in three dermatology departments of Lomé. The clinical evaluation of acne and assessment of the QOL were done using the ECLA (Echelle de Cotation des Lésions d’acné) and CADI (Cardiff Acne Disability Index) scores respectively.ResultsWe enrolled 300 patients aged 12 to 52 years; 71.3% of whom were female. The face was affected by acne in 100% of cases and papulopustular acne was the most common clinical form (66.7%). Acne was mild to moderate in 162 patients (54%) and severe in 138 (46%). Impairment was observed in all patients’ QOL (scores ranged from 1 to 14 points). There was a positive correlation between severity of acne and QOL impairment in the patients (r = 0.21; p = 0.0002). We also found a positive correlation between overall CADI score and factors F1 and F3 of the ECLA scale: the severity of facial acne (r = 0.15; p = 0.0073) and the presence of scars (r = 0.21; p = 0.0002). In contrast, the global ECLA score was significantly correlated with items 2, 3, and 5 of the CADI questionnaire: the patient’s relationship (r = 0.13; p = 0.0241), avoidance behaviors (r = 0.21; p = 0.0002) and perception of acne (r = 0.16; p = 0.0067).ConclusionAcne negatively impacts the QOL of patients. The severity of acne has an impact on the patient’s relationships, avoidance behaviors and perception of the acne.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12895-018-0075-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background In people with albinism (PWA), the deficiency of melanin increase the risk of skin cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin cancers and characteristics of these detected skin cancers (histological types, localization) in PWA in 10 cities in Togo in 2019. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of medical records of PWA systematically examined during two mobile skin care clinics in 2019, as part of a programme for the prevention and management of skin cancers in these subjects. Results During the study period, 280 (95.2%) of the 294 PWA consulted, had developed skin lesions. Of the 280 PWA, the pathological reports from the medical records of 33 patients (11.8%; (95%CI = [8.2–16.2]) had concluded to non-melanoma skin cancers. The mean age of these 33 patients was 38.6 ± 15.2 years and the sex-ratio was 1. Their occupations were mainly resellers (21.2%), traders (15.2%) and farmers (12.2%). In the 33 patients, 54 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers were identified, with some patients having more than one tumor, and some of them having more than one (histologically confirmed) diagnosis. These 54 non-melanoma skin cancers were divided into 21 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinomas, 2 cases of Bowen’s disease and 31 cases of basal cell carcinomas. These non-melanoma skin cancers mainly occurred in the head and neck (33 cases; 61.1%), the upper limbs (15 cases; 27, 8%) and the trunk (4 cases; 7.4%). Conclusion The results of this study show a high prevalence of skin cancers among PWAs in Togo in 2019, only non-melanoma skin cancers. In addition, they illustrate the role of ultraviolet rays with regard to the localization of skin cancers and the occupations of patients. Popularization and compliance with photo protection measures, systematic and regular examination of the skin of these PWAs will allow early detection and treatment of these skin cancers.