Demographic Features, Beliefs And Socio-Psychological Impact Of Acne Vulgaris Among Its Sufferers In Two Towns In Nigeria

Discussion

This study revealed that the females had
higher prevalence (65.0%) of acne vulgaris
than the males (35.0%), and that the severity
of the disorder increases in about (54.0%) of
the female population during their pre-
menstrual period. Tallab¹² had earlier
reported a higher prevalence of the disorder
in females than the males in Saudi Arabia.
The menstrual cycle is characterised by
changes in hormonal concentration and
levels of DHEAS may rise in pre-menstrual
period and DHEAS has been reported to
facilitate initiation of acne.⁴ This may
account for the increase in acne during pre-
menstrual period. Ethnicity may not play a
significant role in the prevalence of acne
ethnic groups
study areas,
Ibadan and Ekpoma respectively, were
affected by the disorder. Previous reports on
ethnicity and racial differences are
conflicting.^9,13 In this study 64.9% of the
subjects experienced increase in severity of
the acne during rainy season. Other studies
have shown that climatic/ seasonal
variations may affect the severity of acne.¹⁴
Rainy season in Ibadan and Ekpoma in
Nigeria is associated with humid weather.
In our previous work⁷, we had reported that
humidity favours bacterial growth and it is
noteworthy that Propionibacterium acnes has
been implicated in the perpetuation of acne
vulgaris.⁵ The increase in severity of acne
during rainy season may be a result of
increase in the growth of Propionibacterium

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