Females were more affected than the males
(65% &35%) respectively, no ethnic
differences were observed as most of the
tribes in the study environment were
affected. Acne sufferers had the highest
increase in severity during the rainy season.
In females, 54.0% indicated an increase in
severity during the pre-menstrual period.
Also (93.1%) of the acne sufferers indicated
increase in severity as a result of stress.
While 74.2% of the acne subjects had
suffered the disorder for more than 5 years.
Table 1: Demographic factors affecting severity of Acne vulgaris in Nigerians
|
Duration of the disorder |
n |
% | |
|
1 year |
3 |
1.7________ | |
|
2 years |
42_______ |
24.1 | |
|
>5years |
129 |
74.2 | |
|
Gender (n = 174) |
n |
% | |
|
Male |
61 |
35.0 | |
|
Female |
113______ |
65.0 | |
|
Ethnicity (n = 174) |
n |
% | |
|
Yoruba |
53 |
30.5 | |
|
Esan |
62 |
35.6 | |
|
Igbo |
41 |
23.6 | |
|
Others |
18 |
10.3 | |
|
Seasonal variation (n=174) |
n |
% | |
|
Dry season |
16 |
9.2________ | |
|
Rainy |
113______ |
64.9 | |
|
Hamatan |
9_________ |
5.2________ | |
|
Unsure |
36_______ |
20.7 | |
|
Menstrual cycle (n=113) |
n |
% | |
|
Premenstrual |
61 |
54.0 | |
|
Menstruating |
21 |
18.6 | |
|
After menstruation |
10 |
8.8________ | |
|
Unsure |
21_______ |
18.6 | |
|
Stress (n = 174) |
n |
% | |
|
Stress |
162 |
93.1 | |
|
No stress |
4 |
2.3________ | |
|
Unsure |
8 |
4.6________ |
About 74.7% of the subjects believed that
oily/fatty diets contribute to perpetuation of
acne vulgaris, while 40.8% believed that it is
genetic/hereditary (Table 2). Very low
population of the sufferers (5.2%) had at one
time sought doctor’s/medical attention,
while 94.8% of the acne sufferers had not.
Non -prescription products used by the
subjects were cleansers (32.8%) and
creams/lotions (59.8%) while 7.4% of the
sufferers did not use any. Psychological
abnormalities experienced by the acne
patients were social inhibition (20.7%),
depression (9.2%) and anxiety (17.2%).
About 30.5% of the population experienced
pain as pyschosomatic symptom while
29.9% and 13.2% experienced discomfort
and embarrassment respectively.