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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Hairdressing and the prevalence of scalp disease in African adults
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 157, No. 5, Year 2007
Notification
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Description
Background: Anecdotal reports suggest that certain scalp disorders are common in Africans and may be associated with hairstyles. Objectives: This study of 874 African adults in Cape Town was performed to test this hypothesis. Methods: A questionnaire was administered and scalp examinations performed, after ethics approval. Results: Participants included 30.9% men and 69.1% women (median age 36.1 years, range 18-99). Most men had natural hair: 91.7% vs. 24.3% women. The majority of men had recent haircuts (< 4 weeks): 74.8% vs. 9.9% women. The overall prevalence of acne (folliculitis) keloidalis nuchae (AKN) was 3.5%: higher in men than women (10.5% vs. 0.3%). AKN prevalence was not associated with whether clippers or blades were used. However, it was associated with haircut symptoms. Haircut-associated symptoms, i.e. at least one episode of transient pimples (or crusts) and bleeding (however small) were reported in 37% and 18.9% of men, respectively. The latter may have implications for disease transmission. Most women (58.7%) had chemically treated hair (49.2% relaxed and 9.6% permed hair) vs. 2.3% men. The prevalences of traction alopecia (TA) and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) were 22.6% and 1.9%: higher in women (31.7% vs. 2.2% and 2.7% vs. 0%, respectively). CCCA was highest in women > 50 years (6.7% vs. 1.2%). TA prevalence was highest if the usual hairstyle was extensions attached to relaxed hair (48%). Conclusion: We found associations between specific scalp diseases, hairstyles, gender, and age. These associations need further study, better to elucidate determinants and to improve disease prevention and treatment. © 2007 The Authors.
Authors & Co-Authors
Khumalo, N. P.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Jessop, Susan Jane
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Gumedze, Freedom N.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Ehrlich, Rodney I.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 164
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08146.x
ISSN:
00070963
e-ISSN:
13652133
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Participants Gender
Male
Female