Traction alopecia among adolescents in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background Traction alopecia (TA) is common among women of African descent. There is limited information on the etiology and predisposing factors for TA among adolescents in Nigeria. This information is fundamental in changing hair grooming habits, which result in the development of TA in adult women. Objective To determine the prevalence, pattern, trichoscopic features, and risk factors for TA among adolescents in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study among 333 adolescents selected from secondary schools in Keffi. The students were interviewed to determine their hair care practices and symptoms of TA. The participants were examined for the presence of TA, and trichoscopy was done for those with TA. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 Statistical software. Results The prevalence of TA was 15.1%. The temporal pattern (54.9%) was the commonest pattern. The trichoscopic features were the presence of peripilar casts (45.1%) and perifollicular halos (43.3%). TA was associated with many variables, but the identified risk factors after logistic regression were frequency of relaxing the hair (P=0.022), duration of covering hair (P=0.022), family economic status (P=0.023), and self-reported presence of dandruff (P=0.001). Conclusion TA occurs among adolescents in northern Nigeria. Increased frequency of relaxing the hair increases the risk of having TA, whereas the use of head scarfs reduced the chance of acquiring it. Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of hair covers on TA.