THE PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN A DERMATOLOGY CLINIC IN KADUNA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory pruritic skin disease which
occurs most frequently in children but can occur in adults and follows a relapsing course. It is
often associated with elevated serum IgE levels and a personal or family history of type I
allergies, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
Objective This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and pattern of presentation of
atopic dermatitis amongst dermatology clinic patients in Kaduna in order to make
recommendations on ways to reduce its morbidity.
Method A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from July 2005 to December 2005
in the dermatology clinic of Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, Kaduna state, Nigeria.
Results A total of 200 patients, age range from 3 weeks to 55 years were recruited for this
study. The prevalence of AD in this study was 16.7%, while the prevalence in a study in south
eastern Nigeria showed 8.5%. AD had its onset before 1 year of age in 167 (82.5%) patients, a
family history of atopy was found in 172 (86.0%) patients. The face was involved in 76 (38.0%)
patients while the flexures were involved in 64 (32.0%). Most of the patients 160 (80.0%) did
not know what causes AD. 72 (36.0%) patients consulted the herbalist when AD appeared for
the first time. The health seeking pattern of the patients when AD appeared for the first time
was not significantly dependent on the monthly earning of our patients (x2 0.795).
Conclusion The prevalence of AD among dermatology clinic patients in Kaduna is relatively
high particularly amongst infants. The pattern of presentation is similar to what is reported in
the western literature. There is ignorance about AD in Kaduna and the people engage in
unorthodox methods of treatment. Health education would go along way in reducing its burden.

THE PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN A DERMATOLOGY CLINIC IN KADUNA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA