Change in pattern of skin disease in Kaduna, north-central Nigeria

BACKGROUND: We report our experience on the pattern of skin disease in Kaduna, north-central Nigeria over a 6-year period, and compare it with a similar survey conducted in the same area 30 years ago and with surveys from Nigeria and from other parts of Africa. METHODS: The medical records of new patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinics of Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital and Habbat Medical Center from March 2000 to December 2005 were retrieved. Demographic data (age and sex) and the diagnoses of skin disease were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 5982 cases was seen. Forty-nine per cent were males and 51% were females. One-third of the patients were aged under 20 years, and three quarters were aged below 40 years. Eczematous dermatitis was the most common skin disorder seen, making up 35% of cases, and had replaced dermatophyte infections and scabies, which were the most dominant skin diseases 30 years previously (now constituting 6% and 1.4% of cases, respectively). Atopic dermatitis had more than doubled in frequency (13.8% vs. 5.2%), and contact dermatitis had tripled in frequency (5.8% vs. 1.8%). Acne vulgaris (6.7%), pigmentary disorders (3.9%), urticaria (3.6%), papular urticaria (3.6%), hair disorders (3.3%), lichen simplex chronicus (3%), viral warts (2.9%), and drug eruptions (2.7%) had also increased. Human immunodeficiency virus-related skin disease constituted 4.3% of cases, with pruritic papular eruption being the most common condition. CONCLUSION: These changes in skin disease can be attributed mainly to an increase in urbanization and improved socio-economic conditions.     

Community based syphilis screening: feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in case finding

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing community based syphilis screening using different sample collection techniques, and its effectiveness in screening at-risk populations and identifying new syphilis cases. METHODS: Two phases of syphilis screening were conducted in venues frequented by men who have sex with men (MSM). Phase 1 used venepuncture and phase 2 a validated saliva test. Evaluation used quantitative data from testers, venues and the local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, and qualitative data from venue and programme staff. RESULTS: 1090 MSM were tested over 7 weeks. 62% of testers had not attended a GUM clinic in the past year. 64% of testers reported > or = 2 sexual contacts in the past 90 days and 11% reported > or = 10. Similar diagnosis rates were recorded for phase 1 (1.4%) and phase 2 (1.8%). There was greater uptake of testing with the saliva test in saunas during phase 2. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis screening in gay venues is feasible and acceptable to at-risk MSM, and reaches a group not routinely accessing GUM services. The low case detection for syphilis suggest this approach, while unlikely to contain outbreaks, may be more useful if combined with screening for other sexually transmitted infections and effective health promotion strategies.     

Tungiasis: high prevalence, parasite load, and morbidity in a rural community in Lagos State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is common in resource-poor populations throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa, but epidemiologic data from Africa on this ectoparasitosis are scarce. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of a rural community in Lagos State, 54 km west of Lagos (Nigeria). In the dry season, 142 households of the community were randomly selected and visited. Family members were examined for the presence of tungiasis. The localization, number, and stage of penetrated fleas, as well as the associated morbidity, were documented. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-seven individuals were examined, 299 (53.7%) males and 258 (46.3%) females. In total, 252 (45.2%; 95% confidence interval, 41.1-49.5) were infested with Tunga penetrans. The prevalence was highest between the ages of 5 and 14 years, decreased in adults, and increased again in the elderly. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence in males and females (47.2% vs. 43.0%; P = 0.3). Almost 95% of lesions were localized on the feet. Ten per cent of individuals presented with sand fleas on the hands and elbows. The median parasite load was six (interquartile range, 3-16). Individuals aged 60 years or over had significantly more lesions (median of 41 lesions; P < 0.01). About one-third of the study participants found it difficult to walk; in 10% of cases, fissures were present. Superinfection was common. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of tungiasis and the parasite load were high, and the severity of the disease was considerable. The prevalence and parasite burden showed a characteristic distribution. In western Nigeria, tungiasis needs to be regarded as an important public health problem.     

Mailed urine samples are not an effective screening approach for Chlamydia trachomatis case finding among young men

BACKGROUND: Frequency of testing is known to be low for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men aged 20-24 years. The use of mailed, home-obtained urine specimens could increase the uptake of young men and facilitate screening programmes for the detection of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the home screening approach as a tool for recruitment of asymptomatic men for screening of genital C. trachomatis infections. METHODS: Men aged 19-24 years old (n = 1936) were invited to participate in home-based testing for genital C. trachomatis infection. Persons who agreed to be tested were provided with a testing kit. Self-collected first void urine was sent for testing to the microbiology laboratory. The test result was accessible on the study's web-page 1 week after testing. Individuals with a diagnosed infection were instructed to contact the venereal disease department. RESULTS: The response rate was 24% (462/1936). The responders' main reason for not participating was a feeling of being safe regarding STIs (87%; 159/182). The primary reason for this feeling of safety was that the responders were in a steady relationship (59%; 107/159). Having sex outside a steady relationship was reported by 36% (90/250) of the responders. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among the responders was 2.02% and the reported history of chlamydial infection was 36% (34/95). Out of the responders, 92% (229/249) were, to varying degrees, concerned about getting STIs; however, the majority (72%; 174/242) estimated the risk to be low. CONCLUSION: Home screening using web-based answer management is a feasible tool for STI screening, which lowers the threshold for people at risk. In this particular population, however, the response rate was too low to be routinely introduced.     

Syndromic approach to a case of balanoposthitis

The newly introduced simplified syndromic approach for the mamagement of sexually transmitted diseases was used in a case of balanoposthitis. Gram staining from the glans penis confirmed the case as bacterial balanoposthitis. Topical zinc-sulphadiazine cream was found to be very effective in curing bacterial balanoposthitis within seven days.     

开展消除麻风运动后对当地新发现病人状况的影响

目的：分析开展消除麻风运动后对当地新发现麻风病人状况的影响。方法：通过比较麻风高流行县（市）开展消除麻风运动前、中和后一年的麻风新发现病人资料，分析新发现麻风病人各个方面情况。结果：发现所有8个县（市）在开展消除麻风运动当年发现病人数均为最高。在开展消除麻风运动后一年，防治力量强的县（市）发现病人数维持在开展消除麻风运动前一年的水平，防治力量弱的县（市）发现病人数则比开展运动前一年有减少。在开展消除运动期间发现的病人居住地离县麻风专业机构的距离最远，平均为62．8公里／人。开展消除运动期间疾病延迟期为最长，平均为42．9月，消除运动后一年发现的病人疾病平均延迟期缩短至26．5月。结论：开展消除麻风运动后在短期内不会对当地的新发现病人数产生很大的影响，但其促进了部分麻风流行病学指标好转，从而促进了当地麻风防治。     

Trends in prevalence and case finding in the ALERT leprosy control programme, 1979-1999

From 1979 to 1999, the ALERT leprosy control programme has covered a well-defined area in central Ethiopia using standardized case finding strategies. During this period, the leprosy prevalence has decreased more than 30-fold, there has been a 3-fold decrease in case detection and a 6-fold decrease in the case detection rate. The proportion of MB patients among new cases increased by around 80% and the proportion of children among new cases decreased by around 60%. Several factors may have contributed to these trends. The impact of the introduction of MDT and the shortening of the duration of the MB regimen are shown, but other factors are also discussed at length: an increase in the population of the area, cleaning up of the registers, changing case definitions, changes in staff motivation and fluctuations, even small ones, in case finding intensity and coverage. Do the observed trends reflect a reduction in the transmission of the leprosy infection? Because of the many confounding factors, it would be difficult to answer that question positively at present. Additional rigorous data collection and analysis is required.     

Vitiligo in Ibadan, Nigeria

The incidence of vitiligo at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, was 6% for the period from 1980-1983. Approximately 70% were not older than 30 years of age. Sixty-three percent of the lesions were in exposed areas. No family history was obtained. Leucoderma from cosmetics needs to be differentiated from vitiligo. Mercuric iodide-containing "germicidal" soap, antiseptics with phenolic derivatives, and hydroquinone-containing cosmetics have become endemic and are contributing to the former type of hypomelanosis. More worrisome is the use of topical corticosteroids as adjuncts with hydroquinone for lightening the skin tone. Oral and topical psoralens are not available in Nigeria, and management of this already complex disease with other modalities of treatment remains unsatisfactory.     

重复开展消除麻风运动对当地新发现病人情况的影响

目的:观察贵州省兴义市重复开展消除麻风运动对当地新发现麻风病人的影响.方法:收集1996～2004年新发现麻风病人的有关资料进行比较分析.结果:9年共发现麻风病人166例,平均每年发现18.4例,年均发现率为2.65/10万.1999年首次开展消除麻风运动后3年,新病人中的2级畸残率和延迟期呈明显下降趋势,低于开展前3年的水平.两次开展消除麻风运动时的畸残率和平均延迟期均达较高水平,提示该地区虽两次开展消除麻风运动但麻风流行程度仍处于较高水平.结论:重复实施消除麻风运动可促进某些流行病学指标的好转,应反复多次开展.