Search

Background Skin diseases have only recently been considered as a possible public health problem in developing countries. Data supporting this matter are scarce. The aim of this study is to report the experience of a specialized dermatologic center in Bamako (Mali) in order to complete two previous studies conducted in the Bamako area: a prevalence study in the general population and a study in nonspecialized health centers of Bamako. It is our intention to provide a comprehensive picture of the problem of skin diseases in an African developing country. Methods We retrospectively collected all cases of skin diseases diagnosed during consultations provided at the Institut Marchoux in Bamako, the only center specializing in dermatology in Mali, during the year 1993. Results A total of 10,575 new outpatients were seen with 10,889 skin diseases. The main skin diseases registered were as follows: infectious dermatoses (41% of all diagnoses, including scabies (16.6%), superficial mycoses (13.6%), and primary pyoderma (5.6%)), dermatitis (20.4%), papular urticaria (4.4%), acne (4.2%), pityriasis alba (3.6%), keratoderma (3.6%), and urticaria (3%). Typical tropical infectious diseases accounted for only 1% of all diagnoses. Conclusions It appears that certain skin diseases (mainly scabies and pyoderma) are an important health problem for the population of the Bamako area. Public health policies should be implemented in order to manage this problem rationally.

Background Skin diseases have recently been identified as a public health problem in developing countries. However, most studies on skin diseases in developing countries have been conducted in specialized dermatologic centers. Data on the proportion of consultations motivated by skin diseases in nonspecialized health centers in developing countries are scarce. In order to appreciate the request for dermatologic care of the population of a developing African country, we attempted to measure this proportion in health centers of Bamako, the capital of Mali. Methods Eight out-patient health centers were randomly selected in Bamako, and the medical registers for the first 6 months of 1993 were consulted. Results Out of a total of 14,058 consultations given, 1639 (11.7%) were motivated by skin diseases. The main diagnoses registered were pyoderma (42.2% of all the dermatologic diagnoses), eczema (15.5%), scabies (8.5%), and fungal infections (7.9%). Conclusions The high proportion of ambulatory consultations in health centers in Bamako motivated by skin diseases suggests that they are an important health problem for the population of this city. Public health policies should be Implemented in order to manage this problem.