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.
Key Words: Acne vulgaris, Beliefs, Nigeria,
Perceptions, Severity
Introduction
Acne Vulgaris represents the most chronic
skin condition seen by dermatologists.1 It
occurs in many forms, from more common
types with comedones and inflammation to
the often devastating types with cyst and
sometimes disfiguring scars and keloidal
reactions which persist for the rest of the
sufferers life.2 Post-adolescent acne
represents an increasing and important
population among acne vulgaris sufferers.2,3
Dehydroepioandoesterone sulphate
(DHEAS) appears to play an important role
in the initiation of acne.4 The
aetiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris include
excessive sebum production,
hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous
duct follicles and bacterial colonisation with
Propionibacterium acnes.5,6 Recently, Ikaraoha
et. al.,7 reported an alteration in the
composition of human skin surface lipids in
acne vulgaris sufferers. The severity and
prevalence of acne vulgaris may be
influenced by climatic factors.8 The reports
on racial differences and ethnicity in
severity of acne vulgaris are conflicting.9
However the use of cosmetics, drugs and
occupation were not found to be significant
aetiological factors of acne vulgaris.3 The
severity of this disorder has no association
with sex.7 A review of recent literature
shows that acne sufferers are not well
informed about the causes of the acne
vulgaris and modalities to alleviate the
severity.10-12 Moreover, there are no reports
on the demographic, belief, perception and
socio-phychological impacts of acne vulgaris
in a Nigerian-black population. Hence this
study on post-adolescent acne vulgaris
sufferers in two distant Nigerian University
towns.
Materials and Methods
Study Area
By simple random method, two University
towns were selected. They were University
of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State and Ambrose
Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State. The
climatic features of the two towns were
similar but, ethnic groups and cultural
practices were different.
Subjects
One hundred and seventy four (174)
subjects with facial acne vulgaris were
selected from the 2 Universities. They
included 61 males and 113 females within
the age range of 18-32 years who
volunteered to participate in the study. The
exclusion criteria were manifestation of any
other skin disease such as eczema,
ringworm or any form of dermatitis.
Methods of data collation
Questionnaires were distributed to all
participants. They were verbally interpreted
in simple English language and explained to
avoid any form of misunderstanding and to
facilitate accurate response by the subject.
They were retrieved from the participants
and the data collated.
Statistical Analysis
Simple proportion and percentage was used
to represent the data collated.
Results
The demographic factors that affected the
severity of acne are shown in Table 1.