Study on Hair Fall with Hair Related Problems among Males of Age 18-50 Years: Study on Chennai Based Population

• Published in: Journal of clinical and diagnostic research Vol. 12; no. 10; pp. LC09 - LC12
• Main Authors: Varman, Priyadharshini Mahendra, Paul, Christina Mary P, Rajan, Pradeep, Preethi, R, Premkumar, Priya, R, Priyanka, S, Rajeshkumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 01.10.2018
• Subjects: baldness; dandruff; depression; greying
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X
• DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2018/36050.12175

Introduction: Male pattern hair loss is often regarded as a relatively minor medical condition; however, may result in anxiety and depression in some men as it impacts self-image. Hair loss is a common cosmetically and psychosocially distressing condition, however this condition attracted the least attention and there are limited studies on its prevalence and its grade in the Indian subcontinent. Aim: To determine the prevalence of hair fall and certain hair related problems among men of age 18-50 years and to identify the factors associated with them. Materials and Methods: The present study was a community based cross-sectional study done over a period of two months. The study was conducted in both rural and urban populations of Thiruvallur district, namely Nazarethpet and Adyalampet which are the field practice areas of ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 393 men selected by simple random sampling in the age group of 18-50 years, were included in the study after getting their informed consent. A customised interview schedule was used for data collection after it was pilot tested. The PHQ 9 questionnaire was applied to the participants following which the weight and height of the subjects were measured. The questions on the interview schedule were also verbally translated into the regional language of the study subjects which was Tamil. Results: Prevalence of hair fall was found to be 60.3%, prevalence of dandruff was found to be 17.1% and the prevalence of baldness was found to be 50.4%. Prevalence of greying among men aged 18-35 years was found to be 37.97%. Of the participants, 59% claimed awareness of creams and medications as a treatment option for hair related problems. Awareness of hair transplantation was present among 55.5% of the study subjects. Conclusion: The present study showed high prevalence rates of hair related problems and that the knowledge regarding treatment options for hair related problems is not adequate.