Spectrum of winter dermatoses in rural Yemen. Mohamed A. Al-Kamel MD* طيف الأمراض الجلدية في اليمن - دكتور/ محمد الكامل

في

Mohamed A. Al-Kamel MD*

* Regional Leishmaniasis Control Center (RLCC), Sanaa, Yemen
Article first published online: 4 SEP 2015
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12886
© 2015 The International Society of Dermatology

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Abstract



Background
Surveys that have been carried out to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in rural Yemen are scarce or not available.
Objective
To investigate the spectrum of winter dermatoses in a rural Yemeni community.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted at the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Al-Helal Specialized Hospital (Radaa' district of Al Bayda' Governorate) using data analysis of 700 selected records of patients managed during four months of the 2013–14 winter season.
Results
Seven hundred patients with 730 diseases were reported in this study; the major bulk of patients (46.57%) were in the >18–40-year age group, and females outnumbered males. By far, dermatitis, eczematous, and allergic disorders (38.49%) topped the list of the most frequent skin disorders groups, followed by skin infections and infestations (20%) and the pigmentary disorders (13.70%) group. Contact dermatitis (10.68%) was the most prevalent skin disorder, followed by hyperpigmentations (8.77%), acne (8.08%), viral infections (5.75%), atopic dermatitis (5.62%), and parasitic infestations (5.34%).
Conclusion
This survey has documented the spectrum of winter dermatoses in a rural Yemeni community but also reflects the pattern of common dermatoses in the whole country. Dermatitis, eczematous, and allergic disorders, skin infections, and pigmentary disorders are the commonest groups. Contact dermatitis is the most prevalent disorder, and leishmaniasis is the most prevalent skin infectious disease. Climate, occupational, social, and environmental factors are the main contributors. Such statistics can form an important basis for community-based health policies.

Frequency of principal skin disorders groups**

Top 10 most prevalent skin disorders**



** Citation:
Al-Kamel, M. A. (2015), Spectrum of winter dermatoses in rural Yemen. International Journal of Dermatology. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12886
* Correspondence
Mohamed A. Al-Kamel, MD
Regional Leishmaniasis Control Center
PO Box 12692
Sana'a
Yemen
E-mail: dralkamel@hotmail.com
Link: