Prevalence of Skin Disease in Urban Haiti: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The prevalence of skin disease varies with geographic location and may be affected by cultural factors. In Haiti, the combination of poor health care access, infrastructure lack, and natural disasters may affect the prevalence of skin conditions. Unfortunately, little epidemiological information has been obtained on the prevalence of skin diseases in Haiti. The objective of this study is to describe data on the prevalence of dermatological conditions in urban areas of Haiti. Univariate, bivariate, and χ2 analyses were used to evaluate associations. During February 2016, we documented 137 patients. The mean age was 27.7 years; most of the subjects were women (61.3%) in a cohort mostly adult (67.1%). The infectious and inflammatory dermatoses were the most prevalent (74.2%). Infectious skin diseases were more prevalent in men and in adults in general (p < 0.01). Inflammatory conditions were also more common in adults (p < 0.05). Additionally, alopecia and dyschromia were limited to women (p < 0.01). Infectious skin diseases, in particular fungal infections, were amongst the most common diagnoses in the urban area of Haiti. Therefore, improved access to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medications would likely benefit Haitian patients with dermatological conditions. These findings may help local public health officials and future dermatological expeditions better serve this population.

Perspectives on skin disorder diagnosis among people living with HIV in southeastern Romania

“…In addition, no cases of rosacea or cutaneous or palpebral demodicosis were identified (28). As our study shows, the prevalence of different dermatoses varies depending on the geographical region both in the general population (18)(19)(20)23,29,30) as well as in PLWH (17,21,22,26). At the same time, under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the image of dermatoses associated with decreased immunity from HIV infection was altered (Table III), a fact found and highlighted in this study.…”

Emergency health in the aftermath of disasters: a post-Hurricane Matthew skin outbreak in rural Haiti

“…, 2019). What is known about dermatological conditions in Haiti remains limited and is drawn from independent studies (Borda et al. , 2019; Cutler et al.…”

“…While these studies provide some insights, there remains a need for baseline epidemiological data on dermatological diseases in Haiti. Borda et al. 's (2019) study of dermatological conditions in an urban region conducted in 2016 included 137 patients, almost 75% of whom suffered from infectious and inflammatory dermatoses.…”

“…The inaccessibility of quality basic healthcare has resulted in the sporadic offering of specialized services, such as dermatology, by transient foreign aid groups (Cutler et al, 2019). What is known about dermatological conditions in Haiti remains limited and is drawn from independent studies (Borda et al, 2019;Cutler et al, 2019;Neuberger et al, 2012). While these studies provide some insights, there remains a need for baseline epidemiological data on dermatological diseases in Haiti.…”

“…While these studies provide some insights, there remains a need for baseline epidemiological data on dermatological diseases in Haiti. Borda et al's (2019) study of dermatological conditions in an urban region conducted in 2016 included 137 patients, almost 75% of whom suffered from infectious and inflammatory dermatoses. By contrast, another 2015 teledermatology feasibility study with 101 patients in a rural town found that atopic diseases, such as eczema and prurigo nodularis, were most common at almost 40%, followed by fungal infections, which affected 18% of patients (Cutler et al, 2019).…”