Defo

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

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.

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

Background and aim: Researches assessing the prevalence and magnitude of human scabies (HS) in Cameroonian penitentiaries are direly rare. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, drivers and clinical features of HS in a Cameroonian prison. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from February to April 2014 at the Mfou Principal Prison (MPP), Cameroon, including all prisoners who voluntarily consulted the research team at the prison infirmary. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings, the examination being independently performed by two experienced dermatologists. Results: Overall, 217 prisoners were enrolled, of whom 201 (92.6%) were males. Ages ranged from 14 to 60 years with a mean of 32.4 ± 9.5 years. The prevalence of HS was 41.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 34.5-47.5%). Eighty one (91.0%) infected prisoners presented classical scabies while 8 prisoners (9.0%) presented crusted scabies. Excoriations (85.4%) and crusts (83.1%) were the prevailing lesions while the infra-gluteal (92.1%) and the inter-gluteal (88.8%) regions were the leading lesion sites. After multivariable logistic regression analysis, a number of baths less than once daily (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.23, 95% CI: 2.10-60.06; p=0.005) and a number of laundries less than once weekly (aOR 16.27, 95% CI: 4.21-62.84; p<0.0001) were the independent factors impacting scabies occurrence. Conclusion: HS is highly prevalent at the MPP, driven by poor personal hygiene alongside a probable lack of health care. Prisoners should be counselled on healthy (personal) hygiene rules, and encouraged to adopt such habits; all necessary means should be made available accordingly.

CO 29 : Dépigmentation volontaire : pratiques et complications dermatologiques rencontrées chez les commerçantes de Yaoundé (Cameroun)

Introduction La pratique de la depigmentation volontaire est en plein essor au Cameroun. Nous avons mene cette etude pour determiner l’ampleur de ce phenomene, afin de contribuer a la prevention de l’utilisation des produits cosmetiques depigmentants. Materiel et methodes Il s’agissait d’une etude transversale et descriptive menee dans les principaux marches de Yaounde aupres des commercantes consentantes, âgees d’au moins 24 ans, utilisant des produits depigmentants. Apres le recrutement dans ces marches, les participantes etaient recues en consultation par un dermatologue pour un examen physique complet. Resultats Cent quatre commercantes ont ete recues en consultation par le dermatologue. L’âge variait de 24 a 64 ans, avec une moyenne de 35,6 (± 8,7) ans. Les principales raisons motivant la depigmentation etaient la quete d’une belle peau (74,2%) suivie de celle d’une peau douce (68,6%). L’hydroquinone (62,7%), les derives mercuriels (28,4%) et les dermocorticoides (25,8%) etaient les composes les plus utilises. La duree moyenne d’exposition etait de 7,5 (± 4,9) annees. Cent une femmes (97,1%) presentaient des complications dont les troubles pigmentaires (72,3%), l’acne (52,47%), les desordres trophiques (24,8%), les infections (14,9%), les accidents allergiques (10,9%) et les dermatites (5,9%) etaient celles les plus rencontrees. Conclusion La depigmentation volontaire est une pratique frequente au Cameroun. Les diverses atteintes cutanees survenant au decours de cette pratique temoignent des risques majeurs encourus. Les populations locales doivent etre edifiees sur les effets nefastes lies a cette pratique, et des actions fortes doivent etre prises pour retirer du marche local les produits cosmetiques depigmentants.