Acne vulgaris in Nigerian adolescents – prevalence, severity, beliefs, perceptions, and practices
- 9 April 2009
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in International Journal of Dermatology
- Vol. 48 (5), 498-505
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03922.x
Abstract
Community-based studies of acne vulgaris conducted in many parts of the world show that it is very common in adolescents but little is known from Africa.In a cross-sectional study, 539 randomly selected students aged 11-19 years in a secondary school in Kaduna, Nigeria were administered a questionnaire to assess self-report of acne, its severity and impact; beliefs and perceptions of causes, and treatments used. 418 students were later examined to detect and grade acne severity.274 (50.8%) were male while 265 (49.2%) were female. Mean age for respondents was 16 years. 320 students (59.4%) self-reported acne. Of 418 students examined, 379 had acne giving a prevalence of 90.7%. There was no significant gender difference in prevalence at all ages of adolescence. Prevalence of acne increased with age (76.7% at age 10-13 years; 88.2% at age 14-16 years; 97.1% at age 17-19 years). 353 of 379 (93.1%) had mild acne while 26 of 379 (6.9%) had moderate acne. The severity of acne was similar in boys and girls. 47.7% of students reported feeling "very sad/unhappy" about their acne although in more than 70% of those who self-reported, this did not interfere with relationship with family, friends or school work. Diet was the commonest factor believed to cause acne. Cleansing agents were the most commonly used treatments.Acne vulgaris is very common in Nigerian adolescents, although it is mild acne in most.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Change in pattern of skin disease in Kaduna, north‐central NigeriaInternational Journal of Dermatology, 2007
- Community-based study of acne vulgaris in adolescents in SingaporeBritish Journal of Dermatology, 2007
- The prevalence of acne in the north of PortugalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2006
- A Single‐Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effect of Face Washing on Acne VulgarisPediatric Dermatology, 2006
- Quality of life issues for South Africans with acne vulgarisClinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2005
- Anxiety, depression, and nature of acne vulgaris in adolescentsInternational Journal of Dermatology, 2000
- A study of the spectrum of skin disease occurring in a black population in south-east LondonBritish Journal of Dermatology, 1999
- Acne in Victorian adolescents: Associations with age, gender, puberty and psychiatric symptomsJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1997
- Acne in schoolchildren: no longer a concern for dermatologists.BMJ, 1989