The Frequency of Alopecia and Quality of Life in High-School Students in Rural Areas of Eskisehir

In a cross-sectional study of 1662 high-school students from rural areas of Eskisehir, Turkey, conducted between March 2, 2015, and April 30, 2015, the incidence of alopecia was 37.4% (n=622). The study found that alopecia was more common in males, those with scalp complaints, and those with oily scalp types. The most common subtypes of alopecia identified were Androgenetic Alopecia (23.2%) and Alopecia Areata (10.3%). Students with alopecia reported lower health-related quality of life in the general health, vitality, and mental health domains. The study suggested that socioeconomic factors and hair care practices were not significantly correlated with alopecia. It recommended health education, hair and scalp examinations during school screenings, directing affected students to dermatologists, and advising those with oily scalps to wash their hair regularly to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.