Odimba TR¹*, Katabayi AM¹, Tibu FG², Balenga LA¹, Mujinga LL¹, Ntumba MP¹, Ngalula G¹, Nkayilu DF¹ and Musuibue WA¹

¹Department of Dermatology, CUK, Democratic Republic of Congo
²General Secretariat for Health, Democratic Republic of Congo

*Corresponding Author: Odimba TR, Department of Dermatology, CUK, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Received: October 10, 2023; Published: November 28, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatoses are a public health issue in developing countries. This study aims to report the epidemiological profile of the main dermatoses encountered in the dermatology department during the short dry season in Kinshasa.

Methodology: This is a descriptive study conducted on a series of patients of all ages and genders, who consulted for the first time for cutaneomucous manifestations at the dermatology service in Kinshasa. Data were collected from January 1 to March 31, 2023, and analyzed using SPSS 26 software.

Results: Out of 476 consultations, 289 were new patients. Women accounted for 62% of the series. The majority of patients were single (65.40%). A single diagnostic hypothesis was made in 76% of cases. Infectious and parasitic dermatoses were the most common (60%), among which fungal dermatoses (25.20%) were the most prevalent, followed by bacterial dermatoses (16.80%) and parasitic dermatoses (13.01%).

Discussion: This study provides a detailed overview of the epidemiological profile of dermatoses during the short dry season in Kinshasa. Infectious dermatoses predominate, particularly fungal dermatoses, which could be attributed to the climatic conditions favorable to their development. The results are consistent with other studies conducted in developing countries.

Strengths of the Study: The sample size is substantial, which increases the representativeness of the results. The use of analogical reasoning by dermatologists ensures a more accurate diagnosis.

Limitations of the Study: Diagnoses were primarily based on clinical examination, which could result in some subjectivity. Moreover, the study was conducted in a single medical center, thus limiting the generalization of the results to the entire country.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of infectious dermatoses as the main reason for dermatology consultations during the short dry season in Kinshasa. A better understanding of the epidemiological profiles of dermatoses can contribute to more appropriate patient care and the implementation of suitable prevention strategies.

 Keywords: Dermatosis; Frequency; Short Dry Season; University Clinics of Kinshasa

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Citation

Citation: Odimba TR., et al. “Epidemiological Aspects of Short Dry Season Dermatoses in Kinshasa”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 7.12 (2023): 95-103.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Odimba TR., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.