The proportion of medical consultations motivated by skin diseases in the health centers of Bamako (Republic of Mali).

ABSTRACT

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.