Prevalence of Alopecia and Its Contributing Factors Among Primary Healthcare Attendees in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia
October 2021
in “
Journal of family medicine and primary care
”
TLDR In the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, hair loss is common, especially among women, older people, and those with higher education and BMI. Stress, poor nutrition, and hormonal changes are key causes, but many don't seek medical help.
The study involved 729 primary healthcare attendees in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, with 66.3% (483 participants) reporting hair loss. Hair loss was more common among females, individuals over 30, those with higher education, married individuals, government employees, housewives, and those with higher BMI values. Only 20% of those experiencing hair loss had consulted a physician. The most common types of hair loss were telogen effluvium and androgenic alopecia, with risk factors including gray hair, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and irregular periods or menopause. The study also found that 145 respondents believed poor hair care practices contributed to their hair loss, with a higher proportion of these being female. Furthermore, 58% of those using medical treatments for hair loss did not seek medical advice. The study suggests that individual beliefs and practices regarding hair care could be important areas for further research.