ORIGINAL: Spectrum of Skin Diseases among Inmates in a Nigerian Correctional Centre in Southern Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2024 May; 41 (5): 568-574 PMID: 39208164

Authors

  • O. G. Egbi Department of Internal Medicine, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • D. A. Aladeh Department of Internal Medicine, Diete Koki Memorial Hospital, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • R. Madubuko Dermatologist and Genito-urinary Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
  • J. D. Okpiri Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • T. Ujah Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • M. Mamven Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja.
  • O. A. Adejumo Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Nigeria.
  • I. R. Edeki Department of Internal Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
  • D. S. Oyedepo Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
  • S. O. Oiwoh Dermatologist and Venerologst, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.
  • V. O. Ndu Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • O. A. Osunbor Department of Internal Medicine, Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.

Keywords:

Correctional centre, Dermatoses, Scabies

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous morbidities are not uncommon in correctional centres and environmental cleanliness and sanitation practices influence their prevalence and pattern. Overcrowding and poor living conditions are common in correctional facilities and may increase the prevalence of skin diseases amongst inmates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of dermatoses in a correctional centre in southern Nigeria.

Materials and methods: The study was an institutional-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried out during a health outreach to the facility involving inmates of a correctional centre in southern Nigeria. Using a purpose-designed questionnaire, sociodemographic data containing information on sex, age, prison status, and number of inmates per room was obtained from a total of 252 inmates who consented to the study. They were subsequently clinically examined for skin diseases. Dermatological tools like dermoscopes were used to boost diagnostic accuracy where expedient. All data collected were subsequently analysed using SPSS version 23.0.

Results: The prevalence of cutaneous morbidities amongst the inmates was 224(88.9%). A total of 332 skin morbidities were observed in 224 prison inmates with a ratio of 1.5:1 per affected inmate. The common dermatoses encountered in our study were scabies 181(71.8%), bedbugs 38(15.1%), dermatophytosis 24(9.5%), pityriasis versicolor 20(7.9%), and pediculosis 18(7.1%) in a decreasing order of frequency.

Conclusion: Cutaneous morbidities are common among prison inmates in southern Nigeria. Scabies was the most common dermatoses observed.

Published

2024-05-31

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 5 (2024): The West African Journal of Medicine

Section

Articles
Copyright & Licensing