Eczema in North West of Libya

Abstract

The life style and demographic structure of Libyan society is changing, and this could affect the epidemiology of certain diseases, including eczema. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of eczema among a selected patient population in the Zliten area in the northwest of Libya. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing case notes and records in public and private dermatology practices in the Zliten area. The frequency of eczema among patients attending dermatology clinics in the Zliten area was 12.8%, and the male to female ratio was almost 1:1. The most affected age group among patients was 20-29 years. Eczema represented a larger proportion of dermatologic conditions during spring and summer. Of all cases of eczema, 72.6% were endogenous and 24.9% were exogenous (p<0.001). The most common type of eczema was contact dermatitis (22.7% of all cases), followed by atopic dermatitis (19.7%) and pityriasis alba (10.5%). In conclusion,
eczema is a public health problem in Zliten-Libya, and this necessitates prospective studies to determine its incidence and prevalence.

Keywords: Eczema, Atopic dermatitis, Zliten, Libya

Libyan Journal of Medicine Vol. 3 (3) 2008: pp. 10- 13