Acne vulgaris in Nigerian adolescents – prevalence, severity, beliefs, perceptions, and practices

Abstract

Background 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. MethodsIn 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.Results 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.Conclusions Acne vulgaris is very common in Nigerian adolescents, although it is mild acne in most.

Anxiety State and ITS Psychosocial Consequences among Acne Vulgaris and Chronic Urticaria Patients in Abuja

“…These aspects of patients' symptoms were previously being ignored while managing them, thereby compromising their psychological wellbeing. Our findings collaborate previous studies which asserted that acne vulgaris has a demonstrable personality changes like emotional disturbances, low self-image and esteem, inability to form and sustain relationship (Mallon, Newton, & Klassan, 1999;Yahaya, 2009;Shenefelt, 2010). The level of anxiety state of sufferers of acne vulgaris is often heighten when the site of occurrence is the face, chest and it is complicated by nodulocystic changes and scars (Van der Meeren, Van der Schaar, & Van der Hurk, 1985;Shuster et al, 1978).…”

Awareness, Perceptions and Practices towards Acne Vulgaris among Acne Patients in Saudi Arabia

“…[13,14] These findings are in contrast to that found in the study done by P Ganga where only 37% knew that acne worsened by aqueezing. [15] Regarding infection and poor skin hygiene as causative factors of acne, only 20.7% of our participants believed it can lead to acne, while in another similar studies by Al Hoqail et al, Yahya et al, [16] Jerry et al, [17] Rigopopulos et al, [18] poor skin hygiene was thought to be a causative factor of acne by 15%, 26.3%, 29%, and 42.4% (respectively) of acne patients. Stress was believed to have a role in the etiology of acne by 29% of our patients.…”

“…This study shows a better knowledge score compared to other studies. [12,16,17] Doctors and medical staff were the main source of information in our study population. Similarly, doctor/general practitioners were the main source by three-fourth of patients in study by Jerry et al while it was a source of information by only 1.1% of patients in study by Rigopoulos et al 32.9 % of our patients and 44%of patients by Jerry et al got information from T.V/ social media while it was 17.5% in the study by Rigopoulos et al In this study 54.9% believed acne is a curable disease while 49% of patients agreed to this in study by Jerry et al and 96% thought acne to be curable in study by Brajaca et al [21] and 41.9% by Yahya et al Over the counter medications were practiced by 65.8% of our patients to treat acne and only 11.4% would consult a doctor regarding their skin condition.…”

Assessment of Sociodemographic and Clinical Features in Patients with Adolescent and Post-adolescent Acne

“…Avustralya'da yap›lan bir çal›flmada, t›p ö¤rencilerinin %30'unun aknelerinin diyetle iliflkili oldu¤una inand›klar› tespit edilmifltir 27 . Yahya ve ark.n›n 28 ergenlik dönemi ö¤rencilerde yapt›klar› bir çal›flmada, hastalar›n akneye neden olan en s›k faktörün diyet oldu¤una inand›klar›n› belirlemifllerdir. Hasta grubumuzda, ergenlik döneminde hastalar›n %42,2'si, ergenlik sonras› hastalar›n ise %19,8'i lezyonlar›n›n baz› g›-dalarla art›fl gösterdi¤ini belirttiler.…”