Incidence of skin disease in rural Jamaica

The incidence of skin disease in people seeking health care in rural Jamaica during the period January to December 1985 has been studied. Results indicate that of 14,179 clinic visits reviewed, 6% involved a primary dermatologic diagnosis. Infectious and parasitic diseases predominated, with scabies, impetigo, and tinea being the most common diagnoses. Of these, scabies accounted for nearly one third of all dermatologic visits. Noninfectious skin disease accounted for less than 10% of dermatologic diagnoses, with unclassified eczema making up the majority. Undiagnosed skin conditions contributed one third of dermatologic visits, with an incidence inversely related to the incidence of scabies visits. This relationship suggests that many evaluations of skin conditions were based on the exclusion of scabies with no alternative diagnosis.