Skin diseases seen in Kazanchis health center

Studies concerning the prevalence of skin diseases and the general dermatologic services in Ethiopia are limited. A total of 7760 patients with 9725 dermatological diseases were seen by a dermatovenereologist from September 1995 to August 1996 at Kazanchis Health center in Addis Ababa. Male to female ratio was 1.01:1.00. Three thousand eighteen (31.0%) of the total 9725 cases had prior evaluation by other health personnel, including doctors (but not dermatologists). Out of these cases, 2720 (90.1%) were misdiagnosed and mismanaged. This high percentage points to the need for further short-term dermatology training for non-dermatologists. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections were dominating, comprising 19.4%, 18.5% and 6.5% of cases respectively. Infestations (i.e., pediculosis and scabies together) represented 10% of cases. Eczemas contributed 18.1% of the total cases. Photoallergic dermatitis (4.5%), Pityriasis alba (4.4%), urticaria (2.2%), prurigo (2%), benign tumors (1.8%), lichen planus (1.6%) and melasma (1.5%) were also quite common.