© 2004 The International Society of Dermatology International Journal of Dermatology 2004, 43, 31–36 31 Abstract Aim To study the pattern of skin diseases in patients attending the skin clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, and to compare our findings with studies performed earlier in the same clinic. Patients and methods The study involved 1091 new patients who had attended the skin clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between January 1994 and December 1998. The patients were examined by the authors, and laboratory investigations were ordered when necessary to make a diagnosis. Results An increased prevalence of eczema, idiopathic pruritus, urticaria, connective tissue diseases, and fixed drug eruptions was observed. Infections, such as scabies, candidiasis, and tinea versicolor, had also increased. Pyoderma, leprosy, onchocerciasis, and dermatophytoses showed a decline. Psoriasis was uncommon, although there was a slight increase in prevalence. Vitiligo and alopecia were stable. Cutaneous tuberculosis, such as lupus vulgaris, was rare. Conclusions Allergic conditions have increased; connective tissue disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and discoid lupus erythematosus, have also increased. Cutaneous disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection, such as seborrheic dermatitis, have increased. Health workers need to be educated on the management and treatment of these conditions, and should be advised to refer patients to appropriate health facilities when necessary. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Oxford, UK IJD International Journal of Dermatology 0011-9059 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2003 45 Tropical medicine rounds Skin diseases in Ibadan, Nigeria Ogunbiyi, Daramola, and Alese Tropical medicine rounds Prevalence of skin diseases in Ibadan, Nigeria Adebola O. Ogunbiyi, FMCP, Olaniyi O. M. Daramola, FWACP, and Olatunji O. Alese, MBBS From the Dermatology Division, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Correspondence Olaniyi O. M. Daramola, FWACP Dermatology Division Department of Medicine University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria E-mail: Introduction Ibadan is one of the largest cities in Africa and is located in the south of Nigeria (latitude 7°26′N). It has an estimated population of 4 million. The climate is tropical and separated into two main seasons: the wet or rainy season (which occurs between March and October and is characterized by high humidity with a small diurnal range in temperature) and the dry season (which occurs between November and February and is characterized by low humidity, strong, dry, dust-laden harmattan winds, and a marked diurnal variation in tem- perature). The temperature in the dry season is usually high during the day and falls at night. Skin disorders remain a significant cause of morbidity in our environment. Although initial studies carried out in this environment showed a high incidence of infective disorders, 1,2 later studies reported an increasing prevalence of eczema and drug reactions with a progressive decline in infective disorders. 3 Some infections, such as yaws, have completely disappeared. The genetic race and nutritional status of the inhabitants in any community usually determine the pattern or frequency of diseases, with other factors of importance including the climate, cultural practices, and socio-economic factors. Because climate and socio-economic factors are dynamic, they are expected to have an impact on the pattern of diseases observed at any one time in a society. Earlier studies suggested that, with improved socio-economic conditions, the pattern of skin diseases in the developing world might become similar to that seen in the developed world. Although there has been some improvement in the socio-economic situation, with a tendency towards Western- ization in urban areas (including a change in diet and cloth- ing), there is still extensive underdevelopment and poverty, particularly in the rural areas. It is also notable that certain systemic infections with cutaneous manifestations, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4,5 hepatitis B, 6 and hepatitis C, 7 have increased in the environment in the last three decades. Although hospital prevalence studies do not reflect the exact situation in a community, they provide an indication of the magnitude of any problems and may be used to develop strategies to eradicate or minimize such problems. Consequently, we decided to study the pattern of skin diseases seen in the skin clinic of a large teaching hospital in order to compare our findings with those of previous workers