Survey of skin disorders in the urban black population of South Africa.

Abstract

Numerous and different methods of survey have been suggested and developed in recent years, but none of them appears to be entirely satisfactory. Insufficient classification, inadequate follow-up, incongruous rotation of investigators, notable variations in attendance, racial differences of the population submitted to statistical study, and other minor factors may account for possible errors and differences in evaluating the findings. We have conducted a survey, over a 3-year period, of the incidence of skin diseases affecting our urban black population, living in the township of Soweto (800,000 inhabitants) and attending our dermatological service at Baragwanath Hospital. Although this population is made up of a dozen different ethnic groups, they are fully urbanized and live under similar conditions and according to similar customs. We believe that the statistical data derived from these patients represent a significant expression of a uniform community.