"4435","Demographic Features, Beliefs And Socio–Psychological Impact Of Acne Vulgaris Among Its Sufferers In Two Towns In Nigeria","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.","http://cogprints.org/4435/","Chidiebere Ikechukwu, Ikaraoha and GO L, Taylor and J I, Anetor and Chidi Uzoma, Igwe and Q O, Ukaegbu and Gilbert Obiora, Nwobu and Azukaego Thomas Hughs, Mokogwu","Kakkilaya Bevinje, Dr Srinivas","       <span class=\"person_name\">Chidiebere Ikechukwu, Ikaraoha</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">GO L, Taylor</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">J I, Anetor</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Chidi Uzoma, Igwe</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Q O, Ukaegbu</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Gilbert Obiora, Nwobu</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Azukaego Thomas Hughs, Mokogwu</span>     (2005)  <a href=\"http://cogprints.org/4435/\"><em>Demographic Features, Beliefs And Socio–Psychological Impact Of Acne Vulgaris Among Its Sufferers In Two Towns In Nigeria.</em></a>       [Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)]           ","Ikaraoha CI,Taylor GOL,Anetor JI,Igwe CU,Ukaegbu QO,Nwobu GO,Mokogwu ATH","2005-05"