The spectrum of skin diseases in a rural setting in Cameroon (sub-Saharan Africa)

Abstract

BackgroundSkin disorders are generally considered to be more prevalent in the rural areas of Cameroon. This study was carried out to verify this assumption by describing the spectrum of skin disorders in a rural setting of Cameroon.MethodsWe carried out a community-based clinical skin examination of 400 consenting subjects from 4 villages of Cameroon: Nyamanga (27%), Yebekolo (24%), Mbangassina (23%) and Bilomo (26%).ResultsThe overall prevalence of skin diseases in our sample was 62% {95% CI: 57.2%, 66.8%} (248/400). The commonest skin disorders were: fungal infections (25.4%), parasitic infestations (21.4%), atrophic skin disorders (11.7%), hypertrophic skin disorders (9.7%), disorders of skin appendages {acne} (8.9%), benign neoplasm (6.5%), bacterial skin infections (5.2%), pigmentation disorders (4.8%), and dermatitis/eczema (4.0%). Skin infections and infestations constituted 52.82% of all skin disorders. The overall prevalence of infectious and parasitic infestation was 32.75% {95%CI: 28.17%, 37.59%} (131/400) as against 29.25% {95%CI: 24.83%, 33.98%} (117/400) for non-infectious disorders.Among people with skin infections/parasitic infestations, those with fungal infections and onchocercal skin lesions were the most prevalent, accounting for 48.1% (63/131) and 35.1% (46/131); and an overall prevalence of 15.75% {95%CI: 12.3%, 19.7%} (63/400) and 11.5% {95%CI: 8.5%, 15.0%} (46/400) respectively.There was secondary bacterial infection in 12.1% {95%CI: 8.31%, 16.82%} (30/248) of subjects with skin diseases. Hypertrophic and atrophic disorders of the skin were mainly keloids (9.68%), scarification marks (6.05%) and burn scars (5.65%). Skin diseases like dermatitis and eczema (4.03%), malignant tumours and pigmentation disorders were rare in our sample.The proportion of subjects diagnosed with skin disorders after examination (62.8%) was significantly higher than the proportion of 40.8% that declared having skin diseases (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe prevalence of skin diseases in the rural Mbam valley is alarming, dominated by easily treatable or preventable skin infections and their magnitude is highly neglected by the community, contrasting with findings in the urban setting. Similar studies are needed in other ecological/demographic settings of the country in order to construct a better understanding of the epidemiology of skin disorders. This would lead to the development of national policies to improve skin care.

Acne vulgaris in general population of rural western Kenya: cross‐sectional community survey

“…The prevalence of 11.2% in this study is higher than other general population studies done elsewhere in Africa, which reported a prevalence of 0.1–8.9% . There is a wide variation in the prevalence of acne in Africa.…”

Prevalence, Drivers and Clinical Features of Human Scabies at the Mfou Principal Prison, Centre Region of Cameroon

“…The 41% prevalence of scabies infestation recorded at the MPP is particularly high compared with the 2.8% prevalence registered among inhabitants of a rural setting in the Mbam Division, Centre region of Cameroon [13]. Likewise, our prevalence is higher than the 8.4% observed by Mbuagbaw et al after a study conducted in Yaoundé in the early 90s [18].…”

“…Another survey undertaken by Bissek et al showed a 2.8% prevalence of scabies in a Cameroonian indigenous rural population [13]. However, few data are available regarding the prevalence and magnitude of scabies among groups at risk such as prisoners in Cameroon.…”

Epidemiological and clinical profiles of skin diseases in sub-saharan african prisons: a crosssectional study from the West Region of Cameroon

“…Human scabies toped the scale of dermatosis in our study (57.1%), which concurs with results from Kouotou et al (41%) (4). By contrast, a very low prevalence of scabies (2.8%) was obtained from a survey conducted in a rural community in the Mbam division, Cameroon (12). This high prevalence of scabies in our prisons suggests a frequent and prolonged contact between detainees, considering that the transmission of scabies is mostly through inter-human contact.…”