%A Ikaraoha Chidiebere Ikechukwu
%A Taylor GO L
%A Anetor J I
%A Igwe Chidi Uzoma
%A Ukaegbu Q O
%A Nwobu Gilbert Obiora
%A Mokogwu Azukaego Thomas Hughs
%J Online Journal Of Health And Allied Sciences
%T Demographic Features, Beliefs And Socio?Psychological Impact Of Acne Vulgaris Among Its Sufferers In Two Towns In Nigeria
%X There is paucity of reports in the demographic knowledge, belief and socio-psychological impact of acne vulgaris sufferers towards the disorder in a black population. This is the first study from Nigeria designed to address this issue. A total of 174 facial acne sufferers completed a self-administered questionnaire, which contained several items mentioning different areas in their belief, knowledge, perception, severity, socio-psychological impact and medication attention. The findings were discussed and compared to those of the Caucasians. The occurrence of the disorder was higher in females (65.0%) compared to the males (35.0%). About 54.0% of the female subjects indicated increase in severity of the disorder during their pre-menstrual period. Also 64.9% of acne sufferers indicated increase in severity during the rainy season, while 93.1% of the population implicated stress to perpetuate the severity of the disorder. Most (75.7%) of the acne sufferers believed that it is caused by oily diet, 40.8% thought that it is hereditary, while barely 5.2% had at sometime sought doctor's attention. Non- prescription products used by acne sufferers were cleansers and cream/lotions. Psychological abnormalities experienced by the sufferers included social inhibition, depression and anxiety. Pain and discomfort are the psychosomatic symptoms. No major differences were found in the beliefs, misconception and socio-psychological impact of acne sufferers in a black population (Nigeria) compared to the Caucasians. There is need to improve the understanding of the disorder in Nigeria through health education programmes.
%N 1
%K Acne vulgaris, Beliefs, Nigeria, Perceptions, Severity
%E Dr Srinivas Kakkilaya Bevinje
%V 4
%D 2005
%I Dr. B.S. Kakkilaya
%L cogprints4435

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