%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